(Part 1)
By Rawle Lucas
Leadership change
The company that has the ship as its logo is about to sail into a new era. Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) announced a major leadership change a couple weeks ago. The long-time President and Chairman of the company will step down to be replaced by a relatively younger, but reportedly equally seasoned leader. DDL, born out of the centuries-old activity of sugar in Guyana, is looking to the future with a global character and perspective.
It is making the switch in leadership at a time of political logjam at home and intense global competition and heightened due diligence abroad stemming from the concerns about money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. One understands that the change in leadership at DDL is driven more by age progression rather than by any disappointing economic news or circumstances of the company. Yet, change of such momentous proportions cannot pass without examining the situation to be inherited by the new leader. In a way, such a review, albeit limited, would help to put in some context the expectations and responsibilities of the new leader and acknowledge the acclaimed track record of the departing one.
A precious beverage
Whether on its website or its annual reports, the story of DDL as told by the company is always fascinating. The history of the company boggles the mind. It starts with the