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CIBC's head honcho arrives!

Published:Friday | October 7, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Managing director of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Nigel Holness (right), leads the jokes with Michael Mansoor (left), chairman of the bank, and Douglas 'Rik' Parkhill, the new CEO.
New CEO of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Douglas 'Rik' Parkhill (left) gets a warm welcome from Hermine Metcalfe while Nigel Holness, managing director of the bank, looks on. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Geoffrey Ziadie (left) of Chad-Ad Distributors is quite animated as he chats with Custos of Clarendon William Shagoury (centre) and Gregory Webster, managing director of Fidelity Motors.
John Andrews of Total Travel Services listens keenly to Delia Fearon (centre), New Kingston branch manager for CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, and Vinette Smith, wealth manager at the branch.
New CEO of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Douglas 'Rik' Parkhill (second right) lymes with (from left) Marjorie Hinds, her husband, Keith Hinds, mayor of Portmore, and Kavan Gayle, president of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union.
It's business talk for (from left) Claude Campbell, systems architect; Janet Pryce, regional correspondent banking manager; and Michelle Campbell, head of technology solutions retail and support systems, New Kingston banking centre.
Annique Dawkins (left), credit manager, corporate investment banking at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank; Glen Lee (centre), chair of the bank's Unsung Heroes programme; and Clovis Metcalfe, former managing director.
President of Supreme Ventures Limited, Brian George (centre), and his fab wife Keneea smile for the camera with Stephen Facey, president and CEO of Pan Jamaican Investment Trust.
New CEO CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Douglas 'Rik' Parkhill meets PROComm's Jean Lowrie-Chin (right) and Yvonne Piper, assistant to the bank's managing director.
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Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

There's a new 'sheriff' in town at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

Douglas 'Rik' Parkhill is the new CEO of the financial institution, and he's wasting no time in getting to know his team members. Parkhill was guest of honour at a reception hosted by the bank's Jamaican team, and everyone was eager to meet "the new guy" as Parkhill described himself. Based in the company's Barbados headquarters, Parkhill made Jamaica one of his first stops as he establishes links with the bank's 17 countries.

Parkhill comes to the job with over 20 years' experience in the global financial-services industry. Before joining CIBC in 2008, he was co-CEO of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Parkhill said he was eager to hear from the customers and the people who keep the bank going every day.

"Client satisfaction is my immediate responsibility ... and has been my passion," he said. Parkhill, Managing Director Nigel Holness and Chairman Michael Mansoor all agreed that the current economic climate was tricky, but the new CEO said he had already identified areas for improvement. He promised that the bank will be a larger player and partner in Jamaica. He outlined three goals: create long-term value, generate significant benefits to the wider community, and build social and intellectual capital within the bank. He even threw in a personal commitment to customers.

"Every employee, starting with myself and my management team ... is here to serve you," he assured.

Parkhill's eagerness to absorb Jamaican culture got a helping voice from reggae icon Freddie McGregor, as he performed some of his popular hits including Push Come To Shove, Prophecy and I See It In You.