Mrs. Ronette Lewis to Succeed Stewart Haynes as NIS CEO 

By Val Matthias. Updated 6:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The National Insurance Services (NIS) has appointed Ronette Lewis as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following a recruitment process that attracted 54 applicants from within and outside the region.

The announcement was made by NIS Board Chairman Steven Joachim during an appearance on Boom FM’s morning programme on 8 June.

Mr Joachim said Ms Lewis, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Enterprise Development, will assume her new role on 1 July, succeeding outgoing NIS Director Stewart Haynes. 

The chairman used the opportunity to outline the recruitment and selection process, amid public discussion about the qualifications required to lead the institution.

According to Mr Joachim, the process began after Mr Haynes informed the board that he would be leaving the organisation at the end of May. Faced with a relatively short timeframe to identify a replacement, the board first reviewed the existing job description for the position before engaging Human Resource Development and Talent Management Consultant Janelle M.A. Allen to oversee the recruitment exercise. 

Mr Joachim described Dr Allen as a highly qualified human resources professional and said she was contracted to manage the recruitment process independently.

He explained that the position was advertised through local newspapers, social media platforms and CaribbeanJobs.com. Applications and resumes were submitted directly to Dr Allen, who evaluated and ranked candidates using a formal assessment and scoring system. 

A total of 54 applications were received. After the initial assessment, a three-member selection committee appointed by the board reviewed the candidates ranked highest by Dr Allen. 

Mr Joachim said the committee conducted a detailed review of the top 10 candidates and also examined the remaining applications to determine whether any strong contenders had been overlooked. 

From that process, four finalists were selected, including two Vincentians, one Jamaican and one Trinidadian. However, the Trinidadian candidate later withdrew because of a family emergency, leaving three candidates to advance to the final stage. 

The remaining candidates participated in formal interviews and were later required to make presentations on topics related to the NIS before being interviewed again by the full board. 

Mr Joachim said the board’s recommendation was based on its assessment of the skills needed to lead the organisation.

Responding to criticism that the NIS should be headed by an actuary, as was the case with Mr Haynes, the chairman said the board deliberately sought a candidate with strong management and leadership skills.

“The starting point is what do we need at the NIS?” Mr Joachim said, arguing that the institution required “somebody who understands how to manage people” rather than necessarily an actuary. 

He noted that actuarial expertise was available through consultants and existing staff and said the role of the chief executive was primarily to manage and implement policy decisions rather than conduct actuarial work. 

Mr Joachim also outlined the role of government in the appointment process, explaining that while the board conducts the recruitment exercise and recommends a candidate, the final appointment is made by Cabinet. 

He said the board presented its recommendation and rationale to Prime Minister Godwin Friday before forwarding its recommendation to Cabinet.

According to Mr Joachim, the board voted six to one in favour of recommending Ms Lewis for the post, and Cabinet subsequently approved the appointment.

END