CAL board fired; former Independent Senator Philip Marshall heads new interim board

Finance Minister Larry Howai announced on Friday that the board of Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has been fired and replaced with an interim board headed by Phillip Marshall, a former Independent Senator and a chartered accountant.

He made the announcement at a media briefing at which he introduced new board members:

• Mr Philip Marshall
• Mr Vishnu Dhanpaul
• Mrs Indira Ramkissoon
• Mr Courtney McNish
• Ms Patricia Kong Tong
• Mr Denis Lalor

Lalor is the Jamaican representative and is the only member of the old board who remains on the board.

“The mandate of the Board will be to conduct a thorough and comprehensive 
diagnostic of the Airline, with a view to formulating an action plan to take CAL forward," Howai stated.

“Having addressed questions on Tuesday on the fundamentals and requirements of the operation of the Board of Directors, I believe it is in the best interest of the Airline to allow the Board to fulfil its mandate and report back to the Ministry of Finance and the Economy. 

"When this diagnostic report is received, it will be discussed by the Cabinet and a further statement will be made," he added.

Marshall in the Director of the Strategic Management Office at the Ministry of Finance and the Economy and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. He is also:

• a member of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Trinidad & Tobago
• an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica
• a member of the Institute of Directors of New Zealand

He was an Independent Senator from 1995-2000. Marshall also served as Deputy Chairman of Ernst & Young Caribbean, and Country Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Trinidad & Tobago.

He was also appointed the first Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.

"I have no doubt that you will agree that Mr Marshall is the best suited for the kind of mandate the Board will have," Howai said.

In his brief statement to reporters, Marshall said he was humbled by the confidence placed in him by the Minister and the Government.

Marshall said: “My mandate as Chairman of Caribbean Airlines Limited is clear and therefore I am determined to deliver and ensure that my small contribution is worthwhile and can benefit all stakeholders, especially, the people of Trinidad & Tobago.”