Karl James steps down as head of Jamaica Cane Products Sales
Published:Friday | December 23, 2016 | 4:23 PMMark Titus
Western Bureau:
After serving 30 years at the helm of Jamaica Cane Products Sales (JCPS) Limited, Karl James, one of the most respected voices in the local sugar industry, will be demitting office as the general manager of the sugar marketing agency on December 31.
In an interview with The Gleaner earlier this week, James confirmed that he will be quitting the post as general manager of JCPS, but will be taking over as the new chairman of JCPS board effective January 1, 2017.
"Yes, I will have a new role at the start of the new year as chairman of the board of directors," said James, who has developed an enviable reputation over the years as one of the most skillful negotiators on matters regarding sugar in the Caribbean region.
James also announced that his deputy, Major Hugh Blake, will be stepping up to fill the post of general manager.
"Major Blake will be the man in charge of the day-to-day running of JCPS," said James, who is also chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean. "He is the man you will be speaking to as of January 1."
PROUD LEGACY
James will be leaving behind a proud legacy on sugar's global stage after spearheading three decades of reliable supply of the sweetener to the European Union, something he is proud of.
"That is something I am very pleased about," said James. "We were able to mobilise financing to take off the crop every year because we had established the record of being a reliable supplier.
"We have also seen a more constant supply to the local market over the past five years or so, but I believe my most outstanding [contribution] to the industry would be to negotiate four years of very high prices," James said.