4. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL.
RICARDO KNIGHT joined The Towner Management Group (TMG) in 1994, bringing a wealth of qualifications and experience in financial services, which fuelled his ambition to rise even higher in his chosen career. The TMG President recalls, “I was young and working for a large, multinational actuarial firm with a big bureaucracy. When I talked to Chris Towner and he convinced me I would be working directly with him and that there was substantial growth potential in his companies, I was convinced it was the right move for me. My experiences through the years have lived up to my expectations”. In discussing the company he heads Knight says, “Chris has the type of vision and commitment that continues to inspire me and I appreciate having a leading role to perform in the expansion and continued success of the company. We provide services for clients in diverse areas including oil and gas, mining, transportation and insurance.” He further states, “Our business has an impact on the island’s tourism industry, as our clients travel here to conduct meetings throughout the year, staying at our luxury
APRIL 17, 2011
hotels and dining at the finest restaurants. “On the other side of the coin, we spend thousands every year promoting Barbados to potential clients as an ideal location for establishing business because of its stable environment and regulation and we directly market this island when we take trips abroad. For example we are taking a sizeable Towner contingent to the largest insurance conference in North America held in Vancouver, Canada, in May this year. Additionally, TMG will be hosting an anniversary dinner at a well known Vancouver restaurant.” Knight comments: “Our staff is very important to us and is the focal point of our organization”. He noted service is key and while many managers lose sight of the obvious fact that without well trained, qualified, motivated staff, a service company can’t be successful, TMG does not. Knight proudly boasts, “We have a very lively family and social environment at Towner, we are very supportive of staff and the many issues life can throw at any of us. We started off our year of celebration with a family church service at St James Parish Church and we have an annual staff day, quarterly lunches and
PRESIDENT of The Towner Management Group Ricardo Knight. (RC) monthly birthday limes all aimed at fostering team spirit.” The Towner Management Group is socially responsible and community minded. The President noted over the last four years the company and its clients have donated BDS$400 000 to charities on the island, The Salvation Army being a major recipient. He also noted their company’s clients have contributed BDS$56M in taxes over the last four years. During his career at TMG Knight has had the distinction of being the first Barbadian to serve as president of the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA). Subsequently he was appointed chairman of the Joint Policy Working Group for Barbados International
Business and Investment Promotion, a Government/private sector body that advises the Minister of International Business. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados. He is also currently president of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Alumni Association, Barbados Chapter and serves on the University’s Council, Audit Committee and Accreditation Committee. Knight is married to Kathy Ann and they have three children Ricardo Jr 14, Kiara 13, and Ryan 7. He keeps fit by practicing martial arts with Alleyne’s Martial Arts school.