Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham named President of the Jamaica Bankers Association

The Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) has elected Mrs Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham of Sagicor Bank as its President for the 2026/2027 year. 

The election took place on 16 July 2026.

The officers elected to serve for 2026/2027 are:

President:  Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham (Sagicor Bank); First Vice-President:  Radcliffe Daley (First Global Bank); Second Vice-President:  Jerome Smalling (JMMB Bank); Treasurer:  Eva Lewis (Citibank)

Honorary Secretary:  Paul Elliott (VM Building Society)

The JBA expressed its sincere appreciation to outgoing President Mrs Audrey Tugwell Henry of Scotiabank for her sterling service as President since October 2023. Her tenure was a period of significant transformation for the Association and helped position the JBA to respond to the changing needs of Jamaica’s banking sector.

Johnson Cunningham brings to the presidency a strong record of executive leadership, commercial insight and industry stewardship, built over a distinguished career in financial services. As a senior banking executive, Mrs Johnson Cunningham has held leadership responsibility across key areas of banking, including business growth, customer experience, operational effectiveness, digital and service transformation, stakeholder engagement and the development of teams capable of delivering in a fast- changing financial landscape.

Her experience spans both the strategic and commercial sides of banking, giving her a broad understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing financial institutions, businesses and consumers. Her appointment reflects the confidence of the Association’s membership in her ability to help shape constructive dialogue, strengthen sector collaboration and advance priorities that support customers, businesses and Jamaica’s wider economic development.

Outgoing President Audrey Tugwell Henry said: “I have full confidence in Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham and the newly elected Executive to take the JBA forward, working in tandem with its Chief Executive Officer. Barbara Hume,”. Tugwell Henry said. “Together, they have the leadership, experience and commitment required to build on the Association’s progress and continue advancing the interests of Jamaica’s banking sector and the wider economy.”

Incoming President Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham, who heads Sagicor Bank, said: “I am honoured to have been elected to serve as President of the Jamaica Bankers Association and grateful for the confidence placed in me by my colleagues across the sector. “On behalf of the JBA Membership and Secretariat, I would also wish to express sincere appreciation to Audrey Tugwell Henry for her sterling and dedicated service to the Association. Jamaica’s banking industry plays a central role in enabling growth, supporting businesses and households, and strengthening confidence in the wider economy. I look forward to working with the Executive, our member institutions, regulators and other stakeholders to build on the progress made and advance practical, forward-looking priorities that support innovation, resilience, financial inclusion and the continued evolution of banking in Jamaica.”

 Johnson Cunningham and the new Executive will lead the Association’s governance and strategic direction for 2026/2027 as the JBA continues to promote a strong, resilient and inclusive banking sector. Under her guidance, the Association is expected to continue deepening its engagement with regulators, policymakers, member institutions and the public on issues that are central to the future of banking in Jamaica, including innovation, financial inclusion, consumer confidence and long-term sector resilience.