Julian Mair appointed Group CEO of NCB Financial Group, Sheree Martin becomes first woman to lead NCB

Julian Mair has been appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of NCB Financial Group Limited (NCBFG), effective November 17.

Also, Sheree Martin has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ), effective September 1, becoming the first woman to be appointed CEO in the bank’s history.

At NCBFG, Robert Almeida will complete his term as Group CEO on September 30, 2026.

Dave Garcia has been appointed Group Chief Operating Officer, effective September 1, 2026.

The company says he will oversee execution of the group’s operations and partner with the CEO to execute the group’s strategy and business plan, ensuring effective risk management, governance, organisational capability and service delivery across group entities.

To ensure continuity of leadership and execution during the transition, Garcia will act as Group CEO from October 1, 2026, until Mair assumes office on November 17.

Ky-Ann Taylor has been appointed Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, effective September 1.

She will oversee the group’s legal and corporate governance functions and continue to serve as General Counsel for NCBJ.

Chairman of NCBFG, Michael Lee-Chin, said the appointments demonstrate the importance of deliberate succession planning for the group’s long-term development.

“Strong institutions prepare their next generation of leadership well in advance. Our succession framework brings together the experience, judgement and capabilities needed to carry the Group forward, with clear responsibilities at each stage,” Lee-Chin said.

“Julian’s appointment, supported by Dave’s leadership during the interim period and alongside Julian thereafter, as well as Ky-Ann’s responsibility for our legal and governance functions, give us confidence in the continued execution of our plans.”

Mair brings more than 33 years of financial-services experience, including investment banking, capital markets, investment strategy and regional business development.

He has led capital-markets activities across Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, and served as Chairman of the Jamaica Stock Exchange from 2020 to 2024.

“Julian understands the regional operating environment and the needs of investors and businesses,” Lee-Chin noted.

“His strategic judgement, governance experience and ability to build relationships across markets position him well to lead this next phase of growth, strengthen connections across our regional businesses and create long-term shareholder value.”

Mair said he was honoured to have been appointed to lead NCBFG.

“NCB Financial Group has a significant legacy, strong businesses and an important role in the economies and communities it serves. I am honoured by the confidence placed in me and excited by the opportunity to work with the Group’s people and leadership teams to build on the foundation already in place, capture new opportunities and sustain growth across the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, Martin, who has served as Interim CEO since January, will lead the bank’s strategic and operational priorities, with a focus on efficiency, governance and the customer experience.

Robert Almeida, Group Chief Executive Officer of NCB Financial Group Limited and Chairman of NCBJ, said Martin’s leadership during the interim period reinforced the Board’s confidence in her ability to lead the bank.

“Sheree brings deep institutional knowledge, a strong understanding of our customers and a clear appreciation of how the different parts of the Bank must work together to deliver,” Almeida said.

“She combines strategic judgement with practical, hands-on leadership and a strong focus on execution. These qualities will serve NCBJ well as it builds on the progress already underway.”

Martin said she was honoured by the appointment and energised by the opportunities ahead.

“NCBJ has an extraordinary legacy, talented people and a vital role in the lives of our customers and in Jamaica’s development. I look forward to working with our board and teams to build on that foundation – accelerating our progress, strengthening the customer experience and bringing the full capabilities of the Bank together more effectively.”

She added, “Our priorities are clear: empower our people within the right culture, improve the way we deliver and earn our customers’ confidence through the quality and consistency of the service, financial solutions and platforms they experience every day.”

Martin brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across the financial services and energy sectors.

Before assuming the role of Interim CEO at NCB, she had leadership responsibility for several functions, including retail banking, operations, credit underwriting, marketing and enterprise information management.

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