Board of Directors

The executive team believes people and values are equal to strategy and focus in the success of Kirk-FP Limited. Maintaining that balance is what fosters the company’s continued growth. Meet our Board of Directors who make our company’s vision a reality.

Dr. Glen Christian, OJ, OD, JP

Chairman

Glen Christian is the CEO and Chairman of Cari-Med Limited, Kirk Distributors Limited and Federated Pharmaceutical (FP 2014) Limited.

A graduate of Mico Teachers’ College, Glen entered the pharmaceutical industry in 1971, as a general sales representative with H.D. Hopwood Limited. He later worked with the company as a medical representative, before being promoted to the position of sales manager.

In 1986 he started his own pharmaceutical distribution company, Cari-Med Limited, with three employees. Today, Cari-Med is the leading Jamaican distributor of pharmaceutical and consumer goods, with a workforce of over 400 employees.

In 1995, the company announced its entry into the consumer goods industry with the launch of its Consumer Sales Division. This division leads the distribution to groceries, pharmacies and non-traditional accounts in Jamaica, representing such leading international companies as Procter & Gamble, Nestle Purina, and Wrigley.

The company’s pharmaceutical division represents seven of the top 10 drug companies worldwide, including GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and Merck Sharp & Dohme. In 2002, the company formed its Hospital and Medical Equipment Division as an offshoot of the Pharmaceutical Division. This, in response to the need in the marketplace for a more diversified range of competitively priced, high quality medical equipment and supplies.

Another affiliate company – Kirk Distributors Limited – was formed in 2006 following Glen Christian’s acquisition of the assets of Colgate Palmolive Jamaica Limited and the distribution rights for their products. Kirk Distributors employs over 224 persons and represents several leading international brands. The company’s portfolio includes major brands such as Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson, Listerine, and Clorox.

In 2012, Kirk Distributors purchased the Kendel brand with its extensive range of food products. In late 2014, Kirk Distributors acquired Federated Pharmaceutical, a company founded in 1958, as the first manufacturer of ethical pharmaceuticals in the English-speaking Caribbean. Federated Pharmaceutical manufactures a range of over- the- counter pharmaceuticals, with the main categories being analgesics, cough, cold and allergy medications, antacids and vitamins/supplements. The company employs some 70 persons.

Glen Christian has set an enviable record of achievement which has earned him numerous honours and awards, including the following:

2015 – Order of Jamaica (OJ) Award from the Government of Jamaica for invaluable contribution to the Pharmaceutical Industry.
2015 – Mavis & Ephraim Hawthorne Golden Krust Foundation -Business Excellence Award.
2014 – Induction into the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica’s Hall of Fame
2013 – Kiwanis Club of Downtown Kingston ‘Exemplary Service to the Community’
2013 – Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, ‘Touching Lives through Education’
2012 – Jamaica Observer Lifetime Achievement Award
2012 – Individual Chamber Member Award from the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce
2011 – Doctor of Education, Administration and Leadership (Honoris Causa) from the Mico University College.
2010 – The prestigious Mico Gold Medal Award from the Mico University College.
2007 – Jamaica Observer Business Leader Award
2007 – Bear Stearns Award of Excellence
2003 – Order of Distinction Award from the Government of Jamaica
2001– Nominee for the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce National Award Ernst & Young Caribbean Entrepreneurship Award (Retail Business)
1995 – Governor General’s Achievement Award for community service.

He currently serves as a Director of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and chairs that organization’s Pharmaceutical, Medical & Health Committee. He is Chairman of the fundraising committee of the Healing Ministry of Bethel Baptist Church, and is also a member of the Boards of the CHASE Fund, and the Mico University College.

In 2014, Mr. Christian established the Union Gardens Foundation which seeks to forge public-private sector partnerships to construct state of the art early childhood facilities in low-income communities across Jamaica. The Foundation’s first project was the construction of an 11,000 square foot infant school in the inner city community of Union Gardens St. Andrew.

The Foundation’s objective of supporting the merger of under-resourced basic schools into government run infant schools is based on the model of the Evelyn Mitchell Infant School/Centre of Excellence. This school, for 3-6 year olds, was built in rural Clarendon in 2010 by the Cari-Med & Kirk Distributors Foundation following the merger of three basic schools. The new institution was then handed over to the Ministry of Education (MOE). This approach has now been adopted by the MOE which has stated its intention to merge basic schools across the island into government-managed infant schools.

A firm believer in the power of prayer, Mr. Christian credits his faith in God for giving him the strength and passion to persevere in building a legacy which has benefitted not only his family, but also the families of his over 600 employees.

He is married to Marva Christian and has two sons and two daughters.

Marva Christian

Mrs. Marva Christian has worked in the capacity of Credit Manager for Cari-Med Limited since 1987 and currently occupies the position of Credit Director.

Mrs. Christian worked as an educator with the Ministry of Education and later successfully managed a retail Pharmacy prior to joining her husband in the family business at Cari-Med.

Mrs. Christian’s astute business skills have contributed to the strong financial standing of the organization. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of both Cari-Med and Kirk Distributors Limited.
She is married to Glenford Christian and has two sons and a daughter.

Lanna Bennett

Mrs. Lanna Bennett is the General Manager of Kirk Distributors Ltd and serves on the Board of Directors of Cari-Med and Kirk Distributors Limited. She is the holder of Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Florida International University (FIU), and a Bachelor’s degree in Education (BEd.) from the University of Technology (formerly College of Arts, Science & Technology). She is a member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM), London.

Mrs. Bennett joined Cari-Med Ltd in 1996 as Marketing Manager. She has over twenty five years of Sales and Marketing experience working with leading international brands of fast moving Consumer Goods and Pharmaceutical Products. Mrs. Bennett has a wealth of experience in transitioning new businesses due to mergers and acquisitions. She has worked with Multinational entities such as GlaxoSmithkline& Novartis Consumer (formerly Gerber Products). Her work experience spans the Caribbean markets.

Mrs. Bennett is married and has two children.

Harry Smith

Mr. Smith has had a successful career at Board and Senior Executive level in General Management, Marketing, Salesand charitable foundations for over 30 years involving local as well as multinational corporations in various industries.He currently serves as Executive-in-Residence at the Mona School of Business and Management, UWI.

Mr. Smith has had post graduate training in business (MBA) at the Mona School of Business and Management, UWI as well as executive training at Kellogg Graduate School of Business, North Western University, USA plus on-going business leadership specific training and corporate governance training at Board level.

In addition to Carimed and Kirk Distributors Boards, he serves as a Non-executive board member of NCB Capital Markets Limited, Digicel Jamaica Limited, Hardware and Lumber Limited and as member of The Board of Trustees – Munro and Dickenson Trust.

He serves as a Justice of the Peace and Lay Magistrate in the parish of St. Andrew.

Harry is married to Ann Marie and they have two grown sons.

Sonia Stewart-Gordon

Mrs Stewart-Gordon is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (U.W.I.), she holds a MBA (H.R. Development) and BSc (Hons.) degree in Management Studies. She also has a Certificate in Principles & Techniques of Counseling from the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies.

Mrs. Stewart-Gordon has been with the Cari-Med Limited for over twenty years and has spearheaded the development of the Human Resources department. The Company now has a staff complement of over 380 employees.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of both Cari-Med and Kirk Distributors Limited. In addition, she represents the Company on the General Council of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation and is also the Company’s representative on the Jamaica Business Council of HIV/AIDS.

She is the mother of two daughters and a son.
She is actively involved in church activities, as well as outreach programmes of the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston.

Dennis Grant

Mr. Dennis Grant is the General Manager of Cari-Med Limited and the holder of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Nova South-Eastern University (Jamaica Cluster) he was named to the U.S.A. National MBA Dean’s List in 1995. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons.) in Business Administration (BBA) specializing in Finance from the University of Technology (formerly College of Arts, Science & Technology).

Mr. Grant has over 25 years’ experience in the field of Accounting in the Financial and Distribution sectors. He joined Cari-Med Limited in 1991 as Financial Controller and in 2006 he was appointed General Manager.

He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of both Cari-Med and Kirk Distributors Limited. He is a sports enthusiast and is married with three children.

Gregory Christian

Mr. Gregory Christian holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing from the University of Nova South-Eastern.

He joined the Cari-Med team in 1999 as a Sales Representative in the Pharmaceutical Division and is presently the Group Business Development Director. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for both Cari-Med and Kirk Distributors Limited.

Mr. Christian has a sound knowledge of sales & marketing, logistics, retail distribution and he has a passion for business.

He is married with five children, two boys and three girls. He loves fishing and is an avid tennis fan.

Huntley Dilworth

Mr. Huntley Dilworth is a qualified Accountant having completed the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) examinations and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies.

His work experience spans over 25 years in the field of auditing, accounting, and financial management, including employment with the “Big 4” Audit Firm, a leading conglomerate in Jamaica as well as overseas banking experience.

Mr. Dilworth joined Cari-Med Limited in September 2006 as the Group Financial Controller and currently holds the position of Director of Finance for the group. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of both Cari-Med and Kirk Distributors Limited.

He is an avid sportsman and is married with three children.

Mr. Howard Mitchell

Mr. Mitchell graduated from the UWI (BSc in Government) and the University of Miami (LL.M. in International Trade Law), He has spent more than 30 years in the legal field. He is an alumnus of the Institute of Management Development (Switzerland) and currently serves as Chairman of Corrpak Jamaica Ltd., Island Grill/Chicken Mistress and TM Traders Ltd.

He also holds directorships on the boards of Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation, Associated Manufacturers Limited and the G. Raymond Chang Foundation and is the immediate past Chairman of the National Housing Trust, Coffee Industry Board, Cocoa Industry Board, Bauxite and Alumina Trading Company of Jamaica/Jamaica Bauxite Mining Ltd. and Jamaica Bauxite Institute.
He has served as a Justice of the Peace since 2009.

Mr. Mitchell is married with 2 daughters.

Sancia Bennett Templer

Sancia Bennett Templer has over 30 years of executive management experience in the private and public sectors in Jamaica working with major companies/corporations involved in international business. She served as President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and CEO of the Partnership for Transformation’s Programme Management Office. She also served as Chief Technical Director in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Mrs. Bennett-Templer served as Senior Vice President of the Airports Authority of Jamaica. Mrs. Bennett-Templer is recognized as a pioneer senior female executive in the shipping industry in Jamaica having served in senior management roles in the bulk shipping sector and subsequently as Managing Director of International Shipping Limited in the 1980’s. Her regional and international experience includes President of the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotions Agencies and the spearheading of significant promotional events in major international business centers.

A graduate of the University of the West Indies and Plymouth Polytechnic in England, Mrs. Bennett-Templer holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration, a Master of Science in International Shipping and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies.

She currently serves on the Privatization Enterprise Team for the Norman Manley International Airport. Previous Board directorships include Air Jamaica Ltd, Development Bank of Jamaica, Urban Development Corporation, Planning Institute of Jamaica, and the Technology Innovation Center.

Mrs. Bennett Templer is married to Julian Templer and they have two children, Lindsay and Gavin.

Minna Isreal

A former banker with over thirty years of corporate, commercial and retail banking experience, Minna Israel was appointed Distinguished Business Fellow at the UWI, Mona School of Business & Management (MSBM) in March, 2012.

She was the President & Country Head of RBC Royal Bank Jamaica for 4 years, and was the immediate Past President of the Jamaica Bankers’ Association. In January 2003, she was appointed the first female Country Head in Scotia Bank and spent 3 years as Managing Director of Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited. She previously held the position of Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO of the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited.

Miss Israel is a member of the UWI Vice Chancellor Award Selection Committee; the United Way Women’s Leadership Initiative; Rotary Club of St. Andrew, Chairperson of the Mona School of Business & Management, UWI; and Vice President, International Women Forum (Jamaica). She also serves on public and private sector boards including First Global Bank, RJR Group, Public Accountancy Board, and National Housing Trust.

She holds a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and General Management from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, Canada; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, and a Diploma in Business Administration specializing in Banking from the University of Technology. In 2002, Minna also completed the Executive Program at University of Michigan Business School.

Dr. Glen Christian, OJ, OD, JP

Chairman

Marva Christian

Company Secretary

Leighton McKnight

Dennis Grant

Lanna Bennett

Gregory Christian

Huntley Dilworth

Sonia Stewart-Gordon

Harry Smith

Minna Israel

Clement Hugh Lloyd ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence, CD

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Who We Are

Kirk Distributors Limited began operations in October 2005, having acquired the assets of Colgate Palmolive (Ja.) Ltd. inclusive of the 85,000 square-foot office and warehouse facility at 216 Marcus Garvey in Kingston and the distribution of the flagship brand of products throughout Jamaica.

In the seven (7) years of operations, Kirk Distributors has firmly established itself as a strong player in the oral care, household and skin care markets with a staff complement of over 150 persons representing not only Colgate Palmolive, but Johnson & Johnson and a number of Local and International brands.

In keeping with its focus on growth, the company increased its warehouse capacity through strategic re-racking of the existing facilities in addition to the building of additional warehouse space.

Kirk takes a holistic approach to business; this has resulted in customer satisfaction, supplier confidence, employee retention and loyalty and strong community spirit.–>

Leighton McKnight

Leighton McKnight brings to the Board over 36 years of extensive and diversified experience in areas such as audit, taxation, financial management, reporting, business advisory services, and management consulting.

Leighton recently retired as the Territory Leader/Senior Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers [PwC] Jamaica, one of the premier professional services firms in the island. He was also the firm’s markets’ leader and a member of PwC Caribbean Region’s Core Leadership Team where he served as the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Leader. He also served as the region’s Advisory Leader and locally as managing partner, assurance leader and human capital leader.

He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies; a graduate of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica, and a Fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

He is currently an Executive in Residence at the Mona School of Business and Management at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

Leighton is a renowned member of the Kiwanis International movement and currently is a Trustee on its Eastern Canada & the Caribbean District board. He has given decades of service to this organization and his contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards.

In 2013, he was appointed to the Order of Distinction, Commander Class by the Government of Jamaica for outstanding contribution in the area of Public Service, Philanthropy and Community Service.

He is married to Dr. Novelette McKnight and is the proud father of son, Diego.

Clement Hugh Lloyd ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence, CD

Clement ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence has over four decades of experience in leading private sector manufacturing, marketing, and distribution companies in Jamaica. He began his career with Colgate Palmolive Company (Jamaica) Limited in 1978, where he served in various key leadership capacities within manufacturing operations, including positions in Manufacturing Systems and Production Management.

In 1995, he joined the former Lascelles deMercado Group, serving in senior leadership positions in the various subsidiaries including Federated Pharmaceuticals Limited, Lascelles Limited, Agricultural Chemicals Limited, Lascelles Laboratories Limited, Plastic Containers Limited and, finally, J. Wray & Nephew Limited, a Campari Group Company, where he served as Chief Operating Officer (Production, Sales & Marketing); Managing Director and, ultimately, as Chairman of that company. He has also served as Chairman of the J. Wray & Nephew Foundation. Currently he serves as Chairman of the Spirits Pool Association Limited, Caribbean Molasses Company (Jamaica) Limited and the Sugar Industry Authority.

Jimmy is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where he gained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He also has pursued management and leadership training, both locally and internationally.

In 2017 he was recognized by the Government of Jamaica and was awarded the Order of Distinction, in the Rank of Commander Class (CD), for invaluable contribution to the Spirits Industry and Economic Development.

He is married to Dr Monica Lawrence and is the father of two children.

Minna Israel

A former banker with over 30 years of corporate, commercial and retail banking experience; Minna held senior executive positions, serving as President & Country Head of RBC Royal Bank (Jamaica) and Managing Director of Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited. She has extensive Board service experience, gaining a strong understanding of a wide variety of businesses. She currently serves on the boards of First Global Bank, Radio Jamaica Limited, Jamaica Public Service Company, Stanley Motta Limited, the Mona School of Business & Management, and Quadrant Home Developers Ltd, and is a member of the Rating Committee of Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services (CariCRIS).

Minna holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the Western University, Canada, and a BSc Degree in Management Studies from The UWI, where she was also awarded a UWI Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2011, and a Diploma from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTECH).

Huntley Dilworth

Huntley Dilworth joined Cari-Med Limited in 2006, as Financial Controller.

He is a qualified accountant having completed the CPA examination. His work experience spans over 25 years in the fields of financial management, international banking, accounting, and auditing locally and internationally.

He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies from The University of the West Indies.

Gregory Christian

Gregory Christian joined Cari-Med Limited in 1999, as a sales representative in the Pharmaceutical Division. Over the years he has worked in various areas of the company, developing extensive knowledge of sales and marketing, logistics, and retail distribution. He has been part of the redevelopment and modernization of Cari-Med, and currently holds the position of Group Business Development Director.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing from the University of Nova South-Eastern.

In 2016 he was appointed to the Boards of the Standards Council of the Bureau of Standards and the Management Committee of Kingston Public/Victoria Jubilee Hospitals. He is also a member of the Board of the Face Place.

He is an avid tennis fan.

Dennis Grant

Dennis Grant is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cari-Med Group. In this role, he supports the Office of the Chairman and Executive Committee to drive the execution of key strategic initiatives for the Group and develop, evaluate and execute plans for growth.

Dennis has worked for over 25 years in the field of accounting in the financial and distribution sectors. He joined Cari-Med Limited in 1991, as Financial Controller and was appointed General Manager in 2006.

He was named to the U.S.A. National MBA Dean’s List in 1995. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons.) in Business Administration (BBA) specializing in Finance from the University of Technology, Jamaica (formerly the College of Arts, Science & Technology).

He is a member of the Boards of Directors of Cari-Med Group Limited, Kirk-FP Limited, and the Bellevue Hospital.

He is a sports enthusiast and is married, with three children.

Sonia Stewart-Gordon

Sonia Stewart-Gordon retired as Director of Human Resource and Administration at Cari-Med Group Limited in 2018 after a 30-year tenure during which she was instrumental in the development of the company’s Human Resources Department.

During her tenure at Cari-Med, she represented the Group on the General Council of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation and on the Jamaica Business Council on HIV/AIDS.

Sonia is a graduate of The University of the West Indies (UWI), where she earned an MBA in H.R. Development, and a B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Management Studies. She also holds a Certificate in Principles & Techniques of Counseling from The University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies, and is a Certified Life Coach.

She is an active member of her local church community and is involved in outreach programmes through the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston.

She is the mother of two daughters and a son.

Harry Smith

Harry Smith has over 35 years of experience at the senior management level primarily in marketing some of Jamaica’s best-known brands. He holds an MBA in Marketing and a BSc. Gen (Hons) both from the University of the West Indies, Mona. He also completed executive education at both Wharton and Kellogg Graduate schools in the USA. He currently serves as Executive-in-Residence at Mona School of Business and Management, UWI.

He also serves as a Non Executive Director for firms in the telecommunications, property management, pharmaceuticals, fast moving consumer goods, health care, hardware and agricultural retail industries. Harry is a Lay Magistrate and a Justice of the Peace for St. Andrew.

Lanna Bennett

Lanna Bennett joined Cari-Med Ltd. in 1996, as Marketing Manager. In 2009, she was appointed General Manager of Kirk Distributors Ltd. She has over twenty-five years’ experience in sales and marketing, representing leading international brands of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) and pharmaceutical products across Caribbean markets. She has worked with multinational companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis Consumer (formerly Gerber Products).

She has a wealth of experience in transitioning new businesses, following mergers and acquisitions.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Florida International University (FIU), and a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed.) from the University of Technology, Jamaica (formerly the College of Arts, Science & Technology).

She is a member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM), London.

She is married and has two children.

Marva Christian

Company Secretary

Marva Christian is a graduate of Mico College (now The Mico University College), and co-founder and director of Cari-Med Group Limited. A committed educator, Mrs. Christian has taught at all levels of the Jamaican public school system. She taught for a year (1967-68), at Frankfield Primary in Clarendon, before moving on to Clarendon College where she taught for two years. She also taught from 1971 to 1979 at the Spanish Town Secondary High School.

She successfully transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry in the 1980s, operating a retail pharmacy along with her husband, Glen, prior to joining Cari-Med in 1987 in the capacity of Credit Manager. She served in that position until 2004 when she assumed the role of Director of Credit. Her astute business skills have contributed to the Group’s strong financial standing.

Marva is a director of the Open Arms Development Centre, and the Wortley Home for Girls, where she has assisted several young ladies with job placement and accessing higher studies. She also serves on the Board of the Evelyn Mitchell Infant School/Centre of Excellence.

Dr. Glen Christian, OJ, OD, JP

Chairman

Glen Christian worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 18 years before starting his first pharmaceutical distribution company, Cari-Med Limited, with three employees. Today, he heads the Cari-Med Group which comprises Cari-Med Distributors, Kirk-FP Limited, and Cari-Med International. The Group employs over 900 persons.

Glen’s record of service and achievement has earned him numerous honours and awards from the Jamaican government and private sector. His list of national honours includes the Governor General’s Award for Community Service; the Order of Distinction; and the Order of Jamaica.

In 2014, he was inducted into the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s Hall of Fame, and in 2019 was presented with the prestigious International Humanitarian Award from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) for his philanthropic work.

He has been recognized by his alma mater, the Mico University College, with an honorary Doctor of Education degree; and is also the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Technology, and the University of the West Indies.

He is Chairman of the fundraising committee of the Healing Ministry of Bethel Baptist Church, and is also a member of the board of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).