The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has launched the Lawrence Placide Award for Excellence in Services.

According to TTCIC chief executive officer Vashti Guyadeen, the award will go to companies, organisations, or individuals whose work shows leadership, innovation, and measurable results, particularly in expanding markets, encouraging regional collaboration, and maintaining high ethical standards.

The award honours the legacy of Lawrence Placide, a former director and founder of the chamber’s international trade negotiations unit.

“He understood that the Caribbean future would not only be built on goods we produce, but on the services we deliver, our intellect, creativity, and capacity to connect the world to the Caribbean. Under his leadership, that unit became a catalyst for regional cooperation with a vision of winning in global markets,” Guyadeen said.

“Sadly, Lawrence has left us, but this award ensures that his vision lives on, recognising those who raise the bar in service excellence and champion Caribbean growth as a unified, competitive region,” she said.

Guyadeen made the statement as the TTCIC held its Champions of Business 2025 awards.

TTCIC president Sonji Pierre-Chase reflected on the TTCIC’s two decades of honouring contributions to the nation’s economic landscape.

She recalled her own journey with the chamber, which began in 2005 as a young staff member at the Secretariat, noting that it was then the idea to honour exceptional business people was first conceived.

“We conceptualised a Hall of Fame and held a simple ceremony at the Secretariat to induct our first Hall of Famer. Fast forward two decades, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, it would not have been envisioned then that I would be standing here today to induct business leaders who have excelled, and to honour categories including small entrepreneurs under five years in business who have demonstrated resilience, and medium enterprises who have shown consistency, sustainability, and leadership,” she said.

She also acknowledged the importance of collaboration, referencing partnerships with Latin American and Central American markets to create new opportunities for members. Addressing the Minister of Trade and Investment’s agenda to increase exports by $2 billion in two years and $5 billion in five years, she assured him of the chamber’s readiness to work with the public sector to realise this vision. Pierre-Chase further paid tribute to former chamber president Kiran Maharaj for her role in producing the evening’s programme, noting that her contribution “goes beyond work—it is a sacrifice that ensures we celebrate our success stories properly”.

Bertram Manhin and

Germaine Scott inducted

into Hall of Fame

Two chamber Hall of Fame inductees, La Vega Estate founder Bertram Manhin and chairman of AP Scott Trinidad Ltd Germaine Scott, shared their feelings receiving this award.

Manhin said, “It really a humbling experience and it is really hard to explain the feeling when you are placed on the same stage as the people who are very distinguished business leaders in T&T. Whatever success I did have would not be without the support of my family, in-laws, friends and most importantly, my wife, who is my rock and fortress.”

Scott echoed the sentiment of gratitude, focusing on family and the team that made his achievements possible.

“On behalf of my family, our employees and everyone who has been a part of this journey, I could not have done it without you. I never began with big dreams of awards or recognition. I simply worked hard against all odds to make sure my family was fed and that my children received a good education. What started in my living room has grown into something much greater by far than [what] I could imagine,” she said.

Novo Farms continued to make waves in the agribusiness sector by winning the Innovation Award, which Glen Ramdhani, executive chairman of the Novo Group of Companies, said helps the team “continue to go on”.

Ramdhani also shared in a media interview that Novo Farms has ambitious plans: “We are in expansion mode right now. We’re expanding our plants, where we will be able to process almost four tonnes per hour—five times the current capacity. We’re also looking to construct a new facility in Barbados.”

2025 TTCIC Awards highlights:

• Business Hall of Fame (sponsored by Kallco Ltd): Germaine Scott (AP Scott Trinidad Ltd), Bertram Manhin (La Vega Estate)

• Entrepreneurship Award (Republic Bank Ltd): Musical Instruments of T&T Company Ltd (MITTCO)

• Green Agenda Award (Proman Trinidad): Slimdown 360 Ltd

• Internationally Known…T&T-owned Company of the Year (Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism): Caribbean Airlines Ltd

• Breakthrough Exporter of the Year (EXIMBANK T&T Ltd): Christle Ltd

• Innovation Award (bmobile Business): Novo Farms

• SME Awards (Republic Bank Ltd):

• Small Business of the Year: Coded Arts

• Medium-Sized Business of the Year: Ecliff Elie Ltd.