Whenever a new LIME Services Directory is about to be unveiled there is always great anticipation, as the public wonders who will be featured on the front cover. For 2013, the wait is now over.
This year’s Directory places the spotlight on Mr George Theophilus for his outstanding work in the fields of finance and economic, his immense contributions to the economic advancement of Saint Lucia and the Caribbean. The 2013 Services Directory was officially unveiled on Holy Thursday at the Mount of Prayer in Ciceron, and was hosted by the Benedictine Nuns. It proved to be a truly special occasion for Mr Theophilus who is a devoted Catholic.
“It is timely that the LIME 2013 Directory places the spotlight squarely on a Saint Lucian who is a living example of commitment, dedication, humility and self sacrifice, and a dedicated Christian,” said LIME Saint Lucia General Manager, Chris Williams. “He is a man whose phenomenal contributions to the fields of finance and economics have had immense impact on the financial policies of governments and institutions in the Caribbean, and have won him praise throughout the region. At LIME we believe in doing our bit to ensure that outstanding citizens like Mr Theophilus are acknowledged,” Mr Williams added.
George Theophilus was born in Choiseul, where he started his first career, education, as a primary school teacher at Choiseul Boys School. He eventually went on to serve in the Ministry of Education as Administrative Cadet, Assistant Secretary and Permanent Secretary. He graduated from London University and Carleton University, Canada with degrees in economics, public administration and finance.
Mr Theophilus’ embarked on a second career in banking and finance in 1973, as Deputy Managing Director of the East Caribbean Currency Authority. On his return to Saint Lucia in 1981 he was appointed Managing Director/Chairman of the Saint Lucia Development Bank. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the National Commercial Bank and as Financial and Economic Adviser to the Saint Lucia Government.
In 1992 Mr Theophilus founded Financial Investment and Consultancy Services (FICS) Ltd along with his now deceased wife, Mrs Jeanne Lusca C. Theophilus. FICS has since grown to become one of Saint Lucia’s premier indigenous financial institutions. Mr Theophilus cites the mutual love he and his wife shared and the support and encouragement he received from his brother, Denison Theophilus as his greatest sources of strength and inspiration and the main reason for all his personal and professional successes.
Between 1972 and 2009 he served on numerous Boards. He was the Deputy Chairman of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Financial Adviser of the Archdiocese of Castries, as well as Chairman of the Caribbean Agricultural Credit Association, the Saint Lucia Integrity Commission, the St Mary’s College Board of Management and the Saint Lucia Library Board. He has also served on the University Grants Committee of the University of the West Indies.
Mr Theophilus has provided consultancy services in management, banking, finance and budgeting to regional governments and institutions, including the Governments of Grenada, Antigua and Saint Lucia, the ECCB and OECS Directorate of Civil Aviation. His research papers and speeches have contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge in a wide range of areas in finance and economics.
For his outstanding service to Church, State and country, George Theophilus has been knighted by the Pope, awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty the Queen, and in 2009 was awarded the Saint Lucia Cross by the Government of Saint Lucia.
Mr Theophilus is the proud father of two children, Lorne Theophilus, a lawyer and currently Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, and Wendy Theophilus, Acting Managing Director of Financial Investment & Consultancy Services Ltd.
Over the years LIME has used the Directory cover to honour numerous Saint Lucians who have dedicated their lives to the socioeconomic, cultural, artistic and sporting advancement of Saint Lucia, including Nobel Laureate, Derek Walcott, Sir Dunstan St Omer, Mrs Teresa Hall, Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, two-time Olympian, Levern Spencer and several other national icons.
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