In a shift at the helm of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Board of Governors has announced the election of Mr. Daniel Best as the institution’s seventh President.
“The decision, made today, underscores the Bank’s commitment to sustainable development and visionary leadership across the Caribbean region,’ the CDB said in a statement Wednesday.
Best, a native of Barbados, brings over 20 years of experience in development finance, policy planning, and infrastructure investment.
According to the CDB, his career has been marked by a deep understanding of the region’s development challenges and opportunities, positioning him as a strong leader to guide the CDB into its next phase of transformation.
As President, he will focus on reducing poverty and inequality while fostering inclusive and sustainable growth, ensuring the Bank’s strategic direction aligns with emerging regional and global challenges.
The appointment comes in the wake of the resignation of Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, the former CDB President from Saint Lucia, who stepped down in April after being placed on administrative leave in January.
The circumstances surrounding Leon’s departure have been mired in controversy, sparking tensions and raising questions about the leadership dynamics within the major financial institution.
Dr. Leon’s resignation followed a turbulent period marked by serious allegations of a toxic working environment, sexism, ageism, and excessive travel, which were cited as reasons for his administrative leave.
Leon has consistently denied these claims, asserting that they were unfounded and part of a smear campaign against him.
In a letter to the CDB Board of Governors on June 15, Leon expressed his belief that he would “never be treated fairly,” and cited a breakdown of trust with the Bank’s leadership as a key reason for his resignation.
His lawyers, Fosters, elaborated further, accusing the CDB of failing to uphold its own rules and regulations.
They wrote that the institution’s inability to prevent the violations of its Charter and the mishandling of the situation left Leon with no choice but to step down from his elected position.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia has publicly supported Leon, attributing his resignation to what he called a “conspiracy” within the CDB.
Speaking on the matter, Pierre asserted, “I want to put on record Saint Lucia’s full support for the work that Gene Leon did at the Caribbean Development Bank and to regret that a conspiracy— and I make no bones about it— is what caused Gene Leon to resign.”
Despite the controversy, Leon has continued his service to Saint Lucia, with his appointment in September as Ambassador-at-Large for the island.
Daniel Best’s appointment to the CDB presidency was welcomed by the Board, who emphasised that his leadership will be pivotal in steering the Bank’s core mandate, particularly its focus on reducing regional poverty and fostering inclusive growth.
The Bank says it will also aim to address the emerging challenges posed by a rapidly changing global landscape, building on its legacy of supporting Caribbean development.
