Coreas Hazells Inc, one of the oldest operating businesses in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), has bid farewell to Managing Director, Joel Providence who has proceeded on retirement after more than 25 years of service at the helm.

Kevin Dickson, Coreas Hazells Financial Controller, and Regional Financial Controller for GEL Building Supplies Division

A company release states that Providence began his retirement on December 31, 2021 after a successful tenure.

He served in the role of both Managing Director of Coreas Hazells, as well as Regional Building Supplies Manager for Goddards Enterprise Ltd (GEL), overseeing its building supplies operations in SVG, Barbados, St. Lucia and Grenada. Providence was a key driver in the company’s ACE and Coreas Pharmacy store expansions and was also a major player in developing the company’s Shipping and Tours department which currently serves as agent to the majority of cruise and cargo lines that operate in SVG, the release adds.

He leaves behind a legacy of service and was at the forefront of the company’s disaster response after the explosive eruptions of La Soufriere volcano last April, and also spearheaded the initiative that took COVID-19 vaccination services to the company’s premises over the past 10 months.

He passed over the leadership mantle as of January 1,2022 to Kevin Dickson, Coreas Hazells Financial Controller, and Regional Financial Controller for GEL Building Supplies Division. Dickson, a former auditor for many of the country’s major banks and companies including Coreas, joined the company in 2002 after obtaining his ACCA qualifications. He began his tenure as Assistant Financial Controller and was promoted to the role of Financial Controller in 2008 where he oversaw the company’s split into Coreas Hazells, and Coreas Distribution in 2015. Dickson also was appointed to the Board of Coreas Hazells Inc in 2008, and currently chairs its pension plan Board of Trustees.

Dickson also has held the position of Division Manager for the pharmacy, shipping and insurance departments, and as a member of the senior management team worked closely with the outgoing Managing Director on numerous capital projects and company initiatives. He brings to the table years of experience and leadership at the local and regional levels and has built a reputation for competence and efficiency within the organisation, the release concludes.