?Tributes poured in yesterday to the memory of Neal & Massy chief executive officer Bernard Dulal-Whiteway, who died on Saturday at 62 after a long battle with cancer. Dulal-Whiteway, a chartered accountant, received the Chaconia Medal (Gold), the nation's second highest honour, at the 2008 Independence Day awards for "long and meritorious service to T&T" in business. He took control of the reins at Neal & Massy on October 1, 2000, after the retirement of Jesus Pazos.
Under his stewardship, Neal & Massy's revenue jumped from $2.3 billion to $7.7 billion at the conglomerate's 2008 year-end. The conglomerate's net profit increased from $142 million in 2000 to $415 million in 2008. Dulal-Whiteway led Neal & Massy during the contentious acquisition of Barbados Shipping & Trading, which closed in February 2008, adding $1.5 billion to the conglomerate revenues and $3.9 billion to its total assets. Outlining the importance of the acquisition, Dulal-Whiteway told a function at the Hyatt in November last year: "The acquisition of Barbados Shipping & Trading gives us a very strong base in this financial period of uncertainty.
Had we not acquired BS&T, we would not have done as well as we did." Dulal-Whiteway was sought after for his knowledge of corporate governance, chairing the Vision 2020 sub-committee on industry and entrepreneurship. He also served as the chairman of Yara Trinidad and on the boards of Republic Bank, Trintoc, Ispat, Tidco, United Way and TSTT. He was also the Honorary Consul General for the Republic of Korea. Dulal-Whiteway was an avid fan of horse racing and an owner of champion race horses: Two of his horses, New Millenium and Border Dispute, won the Royal Oak Derby in 2000 and 2006.
?New N&M CEO Gervase Warner:
?"It was an honour and sacred gift to have had the opportunity to work with and be mentored by Bernard. He has left us all inspired and committed to a purpose higher than ourselves."
??ANSA McAL chairman Norman Sabga:?
?"I always found him to be a gentleman of great capability and integrity. I look at his death as the passing of a business icon."
???N&M chairman Arthur Lok Jack:??
?"Bernard was an inspirational leader whose kindness touched the hearts of all of us at Neal & Massy. We are saddened by his loss but motivated by the legacy he leaves behind for caring for people, bottom-line performance and growth."�Over the nine-year period of his tenure as the Group CEO, Bernard built a strong team of executives who shared his vision, values and standards.
?Former Neal & Massy CEO Jesus Pazos:
?"I was pleased to pass the group on to him. His performance over the last nine years was nothing short of exemplary. It was an honour to have known him and to work with him. Deepest condolences to his wife Cheryl and son Graeme."
?Former N&M exec Hugh Henderson:
?"If I were to use a multi-storey apartment complex as an analogy, and character was the criterion which determined on which floor one would live, then Bernard will be in the penthouse. He was a wonderful man who will be terribly missed."