CIBC FirstCaribbean management serve up a traditional Caribbean breakfast to bank employees at the start of Staff Appreciation Day. Photo: supplied

The leadership of the regional bank joined with their colleagues from the CIBC group worldwide in saying a rousing “thank you”, to the company’s corps of dedicated and loyal staffers for the professional service they deliver daily to the bank’s thousands of customers.

Before the opening of the banking hall at the Tortola and Virgin Gorda branches, the Country Management Committee members set up and served a traditional Caribbean breakfast and fresh fruit to an appreciative staff. Each member was also given a raffle ticket for a surprise gift that was presented at the close of the business day. Ms Esther Persaud was the happy winner of a Samsung Galaxy 5, compliments of LIME.

“The Staff Appreciation Breakfast is a simple concept but one that is well received by the employees,” said G Peter Edmunds, Country Manager for CIBC FirstCaribbean. “The informal gathering at a communal meal is an ideal opportunity to connect as One Team and for management to acknowledge the hard work and effort that people put in as individuals to make sure that the bank performs as a whole.”

At the bank’s regional headquarters in Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados, the Senior Executive Team, led by Chief Executive Officer Rik Parkhill, also served up breakfast to staff members.

Parkhill said “Employee Appreciation Day is about pausing – if even for a short while – within the hectic pace that is life at CIBC FirstCaribbean, and celebrating together all that we have achieved and recognizing that commitment and contribution.”

He said the bank has been forced to make “some tough decisions as we try to position our company for growth,” but he remained optimistic about the future.

“There has been some stress on those of us who remain within CIBC FirstCaribbean amidst our restructuring activities. While we settle the new structures and complete the refinements to our processes, the benefits will become increasingly visible. Thank you for your contribution in whatever form as we go through this period of transition,” he told staff.

Appreciation activities at headquarters were repeated across the region as managers arranged various treats for their staff, presented them with cards and personal notes of thanks for the various roles they perform within the bank.

The day closed out with the announcement of the Amazing Employee for 2014 as voted for by their colleagues. The winner, Glendina Jacobs of Antigua, was chosen from a field of ten finalists who were nominated by their peers for the top honour for their superior performances in the areas of community service, customer service, teamwork, relationship building, sales and perseverance. Employees then had the chance to vote for their favourite story and choose a winner.

The runners up were Misty Davis of the Bahamas, and Bertha Farley of Barbados.

The other finalists were: Carol-Jean George of Antigua, Mildred Adderley of the Bahamas, Kian Scott and Valda Stewart of Jamaica, Yasmine Houson and Monique Victor of St. Lucia and Davina Richardson of St. Maarten.