Massy Ferguson has spent the better part of two decades exploring both sides of the country-rock divide You Can't Tell Me I'm Not What I Used To Be expands beyond that mix of amplified twang and raw If Massy Ferguson's previous records unfolded like soundtracks for loud then You Can't Tell Me I'm Not What I Used To Be explores a different sort of sonic real estate.  This is the band's cinematic version of rootsy American music produced by Damien Jurado — an idiosyncratic folksinger celebrated for his craft as much as his unpredictability — and filled with vintage tones and the sharp songwriting that's always been the bedrock of Massy Ferguson's music Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now and I'm not that good at playing the guitar either.” and I’m not that good at playing the guitar either.” and I’m not that good at playing the guitar either.” Hard to believe these words would have come out of his mouth humble man honestly thought he wasn’t much of a musician He would come to the session every day dressed as if he were going to a funeral His deep resonant voice would tell those melodic American stories with so much emotion you’d wish you could just hug him and tell him everything was going to be okay During the recording of Johnny’s Unchained we wanted to give the disc a vintage character While producer Rick Rubin enlisted a star-studded cast of players to back Johnny up on the record I relied on the help of classic broadcast compressors to achieve the album’s unique sound Rick also wanted simplicity in the way it was recorded and mixed and as the engineer and mixer on the project I learned invaluable lessons about how to uncomplicate the making of the record Much of the Unchained album was tracked at Ocean Way Studio 2 with most overdubs and mixing done in Rick’s studio at his home in West Hollywood I would drag my racks of vintage gear to the sessions loaded with old radio compressors and oddities that no other studios had we found the signature sound for Johnny’s voice for the record: the Gates Sta-Level tube-limiting amplifier the Sta-Level became the only limiter I used on Johnny’s voice and it was the only special item I brought to vocal sessions I’d begun my love affair with the Gates Sta-Level years before when my friend Jimmy Boyle brought one to a mix and insisted I give it a try It was old-looking and painted battleship gray I would rather have used a Teletronix LA-2A for the vocal on that particular mix but I reluctantly patched in the Sta-Level and was instantly smitten The Sta-Level had all the muscle of the LA-2A I immediately set out to buy one for my own rack it was the first thing I thought of when it came time to record his iconic voice Even when I was sent to Nashville to record Johnny at Jack Clement’s Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa made the Sta-Level as an automatic gain amplifier for broadcast use from the mid-1950s through the mid-’70s Popular in AM radio stations across the United States it was used with a peak limiter to even out program content before it went on to the station’s transmitter Credit for the sound of the Sta-Level is often given to its use of the 6386 tube the same as you’ll find in both of the classic Fairchild compressors the Sta-Level was wonderful for animating the classic AM radio announcer’s booming voice You can then imagine why the Sta-Level was the perfect choice for recording Johnny adding a touch of old radio flavor to the recording You can especially hear the Sta-Level’s effects on the songs “The One Rose” and “I’ve Been Everywhere.” We tracked the Unchained album over a span of six months and every session included visits from huge stars Flea and Anthony Kiedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers Mick Fleetwood and Lindsay Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac It was easy to see Rick’s enthusiasm for the project: He was always early to the sessions and would even beat me to the studio on some days Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein brought such a great energy as Johnny’s back-up band playing a colorful selection of instruments including Dobros I also brought my ’61 Fender Esquire as it was the classic guitar used on so many of the early Johnny Cash records the star of the show was the Gates Sta-Level Having started my recording career in radio production I was lucky enough to know where to go to get my first Sta-Levels back in the mid-’90s Today it may be more challenging to find these units though they do appear every once in awhile on the market that’s now re-issuing the classic Sta-Level has a passion for the older broadcast equipment; he is developing re-issues of other classics including a re-make of the great Universal Audio UA176 I highly recommend the Retro Sta-Level; it has been painstakingly designed to emulate the sound of the Gates even though it no longer relies on the difficult-to-find 6386 tubes In case you won’t stand for anything but the original design the 6386 socket is still there as an option for the Retro user These Sta-Levels are not plug-ins; they are living breathing analog rack units that you have to make an effort to patch in … and it’s worth it The Unchained album was awarded the Grammy for Best Country Album in 1997 Johnny was too ill to receive his statue at the event and only months after June Carter Cash died We’ve all lost a legendary American voice but we’re lucky to have his life documented in his music Maybe he thought that he wasn’t the best singer or player but certainly that is not at the heart of where true talent lies Sylvia Massy is the unconventional producer and engineer of artists including Tool She is a member of the NARAS P&E Wing Steering Committee and Advisory Boards and is a resident producer at RadioStar Studios in Weed Sylvia Massy Tags ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ an international media group and leading digital publisher Seattle-based Americana band Massy Ferguson can’t be accused of writing the same album over and over again On You Can’t Tell Me I’m Not What I Used To Be the band that has built a loyal fan base around their ability to deftly walk that line between country and rock has managed to turn in their most expansive album yet “Early In The Morning,” to the twangy guitar and driving bass/drums of “When You’re Not Around,” the record finds the band building on the foundation of their earlier records but not stuck to simply keeping the same sounds Carry On,” nested in the middle of the album was the song that the record was built around The tune came together as the band were prepping for a show in Asbury Park “That moment was the genesis of the whole record,” according to frontman an album came from that one idea we had on tour.” And by coincidence by design or just picking up on the ghosts of past Asbury Park shows from Jersey’s favorite son Carry On,” echoes some of Springsteen’s early soulful songs.     While the band can still play a solid barroom rocker the album also boasts some of Massy Ferguson’s quieter moments (“You Were So High” and the sweet “Lovely Lad”) On a track like the “Lights Get Low,” one of the standout moments on the album the song starts off slow and steady before quickly reaching a boil punctuated with a brilliant 1980s synth sound The instrumentation would have been out of place on some of their earlier records but fits nicely here sandwiched between other adventurous gambles that pay off “Shrunken Head,” with tubular bells and a beautiful mix of “oohs” backing the more traditional guitars elevates what would have been a solid song on its own to one of the band’s finest moments to date The album closes on the ominous “Angels In Heaven,” again another song that might not have worked on one of their other records but pairs nicely here with the more expansive sound of this album.    Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Check out the recent single from Seattle group Massy Ferguson “When You’re Not Around” is a catchy upbeat song that courses along on driving rhythms and jangling guitar Ethan Anderson’s voice has a great balance between grit and melody The accompanying video was produced by George Varghese at Verge Studios Seattle; cartoon footage is interspersed with the band playing the song says of the song: “When I wrote this song I was listening to Ray Wylie Hubbard ‘Chick Singer Badass Rocking’ and basically wrote it as a piece of fan fiction to Ray’s song We are one person at home and another person on stage I’m writing about the singer’s partner who sees both sides Ray’s singer is one person at home and another person on stage I think ‘When You’re Not Around’ is a song of appreciation for anyone in a relationship with a musician But in the end you probably prefer the badass rocking person ‘I wish that I could know you like that’ is the key line in this song.” “When You’re Not Around” features on the band’s forthcoming album “You Can’t Tell Me I’m Not What I Used To Be” The follow-up album to 2022’s “Joe’s Meat & Grocery” promises to be an ear;y highlight of the new year Essentials: The Top Ten 10,000 Maniacs Songs Kentucky “Runway” – like for ‘planes Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you enjoy what you're reading and don't want to support us on a monthly basis you can help us keep this site free from looking like one of those awful REACH sites by making a one off donation towards our running costs Be daring, be yourself, be willing to take risks and stand alone. Vanessa Collier’s music is gritty, raw, and at times, either downright sad or bubbling happy. As with most songwriters worth their salt, her songs […] “All of a sudden, time stood still, and we watched our plans and expectations float away like lost balloons.” For Angela Easterling, life began in South Carolina and, except for college years in Boston, has been […] Past, present and future are inseparable in her songs. There is an openness to Maya de Vitry that is refreshing to come by. Formerly in the Stray Birds, a bluegrass band, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania-born musician is […] As always in these prescriptive articles there must be a drawing of boundaries and Clint’s first article in the series seemed to have dealt with the idea that you should define americana in a narrow sense […] Steve Earle announced his arrival in our lives with his debut album in 1986. Since then, he has racked up almost thirty studio and live albums under his own name or in collaboration with others. I […] I heard from a colleague,  who has contact with associates of Eric Taylor, that he had died on March 9th 2020 following a period of illness. I immediately checked the web for confirmation but there was […] for a movign ceremony in tribute to the late Elisabeth-Anne de Massy ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament – the trio are pictured here in 2012 The most glamorous tournament in tennis kicked off this Sunday as the Monte Carlo Masters returned to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Before the break points and Birkins returned to the Monte Carlo Country Club Prince Albert of Monaco led a moving ceremony in honour of one of the competition's most dedicated supporters The Baroness served as vice president of the Monte Carlo Country Club between 1972 and 2008 before succeeding her mother, Princess Anoinette, as the president until her death in 2020. De Massy was also the head of the Monaco Tennis Federation from 1988 overseeing a four-decade reign that saw the Monte Carlo Masters become one of the most desirable tickets on the ATP tour It was fitting then that Prince Albert was accompanied by the Baroness’s daughter, his cousin, Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, in a ceremony to renamed Court Two of the club as ‘Court Elizabeth-Ann de Massy’. Mélanie-Antoinette has followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother as President of the Country Club and tennis federation, continuing her family’s reign as the powerhouse dynasty behind Monégasque tennis. Prince Albert of Monaco and Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy during day seven of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters at Monte Carlo Country Club on 13 April, 2024 Elisabeth-Anne de Massy and Boris Becker in 2018 On 8 September 2018, George, the Marquess of Blandford and future 13th Duke of Marlborough, married his childhood sweetheart, Camilla Thorp, now the Marchioness of Blandford, at Blenheim Palace. Now, revisit Tatler’s exclusive feature from the January 2019 issue The Monte Carlo Masters is the jewel in the crown of the tennis tour, with the world's top players gathering on the French Riviera In this feature from June 2020, Tatler met Julie Montagu, the American aristocrat who will soon be named the Countess of Sandwich following the death of her father-in-law, John Montagu, the 11th Earl of Sandwich The Monte Carlo Country Club has been at the heart of the Monégasque tennis world (despite technically being in France) since it was inaugurated in 1928 by Prince Louis II who was joined by King Gustave V of Sweden the Grand Duchess Helene and the Grand Duke André of Russia Prince Albert with Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy as they award trophies to Rafael Nadal and Albert Ramos-Vinolas in 2017 Nowadays, the Monte Carlo Masters, the oldest clay tournament in the world, is the jewel in the crown of the tennis tour, as Morgan Riddle the impeccably-dressed girlfriend of US Number One Taylor Fritz The tournament is Monaco’s second biggest earner after the Grand Prix – and Prince Albert is ‘extremely involved’. The glamorous Monégasque royals often attend finals day: from Prince Jacques and his mother, Princess Charlene, to Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo In other words: plenty to look forward to for tennis fans and royal watchers alike the Parc des Princes amid frustration with Anne Hidalgo The club has intended to buy and expand its historic stadium for years but was denied by the city The club's desire has always been to modernise and increase the capacity of their stadium but it has been met by the city's official with resistance and the negotiations seemed to have ended between both parts Paris Saint-Germain is set to depart their historic stadium the club sought to build a brand new stadium that would help the club to become one of the biggest club in Europe and it seems that they found the perfect location for their new home PSG will now embark on a transformative journey with plans to build a new €1 billion a suburb approximately 15 kilometers south of central Paris With the impossibility to gain ownership of the Parc des Princes Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the club looked elsewhere to build a stadium as many sites fought to welcome the club and its fans Massy easily convinced the Qataris and won the race to be PSG's new home This ambitious new project will signify a pivotal shift for the club looking to build one of the largest and most advanced football venues in the world Which will not only profit to the club in terms of revenue on matchdays The club will not only build a stadium but develop the area It would also become the biggest stadium in France surpassing the 80,000 seats of the Stade de France The future challenges for the club as they are about to depart their historic stadium will be a possible resistance from long-time fans having a deep connection with the Parc des Princes the club will have to ensure a good accessibility of their future venue to maintain fan attendance while preserving the atmosphere that lifted them on so many times European nights With the club building a new stadium, it seems that the new era started with the inauguration of the PSG Campus their cutting-edge new training center last November is well underway and should see the club go through a deep transformative phase in the near future There is no doubt that this news will not be well received by every fans of the club but it is a necessary step forward for the club © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"60","src":"61","url":"62"},{"type":"5z","value":"63"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"66","url":"67"},{"type":"65","value":"68"},"All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands where he focuses on in-depth coverage of Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 and breaking news while also exploring broader football trends across Europe \n\nWith over two years of experience in sports journalism Alan has honed his skills through contributions to platforms like Hoopsfix.com where he covered basketball alongside his football reporting He holds an NCTJ certification from PA Media demonstrating his strong journalistic foundations \n\nAlan’s deep knowledge of French football and PSG stems from a lifelong passion for the sport where football holds cultural significance With the club building a new stadium, it seems that the new era started with the inauguration of the PSG Campus Paris Saint-Germain will depart the Parc des Princes This content references scientific studies and academic research Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective We are committed to bringing you researched expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food We know how important making choices about your overall health is and we strive to provide you with the best information possible Massy Arias is crushing leg day – in her two-piece workout gear In a new social media post the fitness influencer and trainer shows off her incredible physique during an intense workout session "Come train Legs with me to one of the hardest sessions I've had in a long time and athletic because there is no way I will ever stop trying to become the best version of myself Although this workout is to increase my athletic performance these movements all target 🦵 and Glutes," she writes in the Instagram caption A post shared by Massy Arias (@massy.arias) they are weak and unable to extend all the way A post shared by Massy Arias (@massy.arias) Massy has revealed that she battled depression when she was younger, and tried herbal remedies and cognitive therapy. However, exercise made the most difference. "Fitness saved my life," she told Muscle & Fitness She started with the elliptical machine and then bodybuilding "That first pushup felt great!" she revealed A post shared by Massy Arias (@massy.arias) Massy's workout method is a mix of resistance training, calisthenics, yoga, and HIIT, but focuses mostly on weights. Why should you lift? Strength training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently, explains Mayo Clinic Strength training may also help you develop strong bones A post shared by Massy Arias (@massy.arias) A post shared by Massy Arias (@massy.arias) It took me about two and a half years to actually really develop the muscle mass that I have today," she told Elle "Imagine if you start your journey and in three months you're not seeing the results that I've been able to accomplish in two or three years You're going to get discouraged and you're going to quit and fitness for me is not about just achieving a body Fitness is about health and wellness and happiness—because if you take care of yourself Taking a picture of my butt or taking a picture of my abs every single day From time to time you want to encourage and motivate people I choose to do it with the things that my body can do because I was just a 'regular' girl Copyright 2025 Galvanized Media Celebwell is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family Seattle band Massy Ferguson have fired up the diesel and gotten ready to plough a straight furrow back to what’s been expected of them for the better part of two decades “You Can’t Tell Me I’m Not What I Used to Be” is a declaration that crops will not be rotated fans are going to get the same high-energy guitar-driven rock they’ve become accustomed to over the previous six albums yet in the case of Massy Ferguson it’s only solidified their core base It’s that regional band that comes around your favourite hangout or roadhouse two like comfortable hoodies or jeans that you put on when you don’t want to surprise anyone and go for comfort This band is no anomaly that refuses to be pigeonholed or compartmentalized by style They have their niche and probably welcome it Like Massey Ferguson the tractor company whose motto is “Born to Farm,” the band of (almost) the same name’s could be “Born to Rock.” Frontman Ethan Anderson has a knack for melody but his arrangements and lyrics can be on the plain side The plan was to officially leave their comfort zone and chase down a more arty cinematic version of rootsy American music with help from producer Damien Jurado Upon listening to the eleven tracks on the album it seems Massy Ferguson has changed Jurado more than vice versa “We’re getting out of the bars,” Anderson notes “We’re expanding to other rooms where we start to go in a new direction.” You can applaud their desire to explore other sounds but there’s also nothing wrong with sticking with what you do best as on the “Joe’s Meat & Grocery” album – no frills just the basics where on a good night they’ll sound like the Georgia Satellites or REO Speedwagon and on a so-so night sound like the Drive-By Truckers after playing one show too many In other words more songs like ‘Save What Couldn’t Be Saved’ and fewer like ‘I Don’t Know Why.’ On the new album you could substitute the power pop of ‘When You’re Not Around’ (more of) and ‘I’m Almost There’ (less) On ‘When You’re Not Around,’ Anderson writes a narrative twist that has his narrator watching his girlfriend getting all dressed up (fishnets) to go perform The band – Anderson on vocals and bass; Adam Monda on guitars and vocals; Dave Goedde on drums and percussion; and Fred Slater on piano and keyboards – plays if fast and loose suggesting they try something different on for size but if you’re coaching the NFL Seattle Seahawks you wouldn’t ask the nose tackle to cover a receiver like Justin Jefferson The songs are a little too focused on the songwriter or narrator’s personal struggles with women and drugs and not necessarily in that order But repetitiveness is what people who frequent roadhouses demand and my guess is Massy Ferguson is a band that knows how to make people feel like letting their hair down and having a blast This is a band that is probably best appreciated in a live setting This is an album filled with vintage sounds and production the bedrock of Massy Ferguson’s sound but if you are still listening to this album five years later Book Review: Preston Lauterbach “Before Elvis (The African American Musicians Who Made the King)” Something for the weekend: Trampled by Turtles and Sumbuck cover Bon Iver’s “For Emma” The game requires players to list something scandalous that they themselves have never done. When it was the turn of William’s ex-girlfriend, fellow student Carly Massy-Birch, she came up with a statement that would send shockwaves around the party: ‘Never have I ever dated two people in this room.’ Past lives, spirit guides, and energy vampires – the story of Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek might leave some calling hockum, but there's nothing woo woo about their wedding, which will see the ‘clairvoyant’ princess tie the knot with a controversial Californian guru At least, so the story goes in Katie Nicholl's 2002 book The Making of a Royal Romance, and it's just been backed up in royal biographer Robert Jobson’s new book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales Carly exposed William’s secret love affair with Catherine much to the prince’s chagrin,’ Jobson writes noting that the couple’s relationship was ‘an open secret’ among the student community William and Kate were often seen walking together through the cobbled streets of St Andrews but it had already been confirmed that William had once been seeing Carly Massy-Birch – so if he were to take a drink it would amount to a confession that he was now going out with Catherine Kate Middleton during her graduation ceremony at St Andrews offered an insight into that night after the writer interviewed a party guest who was present for the game and witnessed Massy-Birch’s round William shot his ex-girlfriend a ‘thunderous look’ and whispered ‘I can’t believe you just said that’ Like a phoenix from the ashes, Ivanka Trump is rising again. In this feature first published in July, Features Director Eilidh Hagreaves asks, what role will she play in her father's politics? Prince William arrives for his first day of university When they weren’t holding court around a dinner table, Carly and William would enjoy pints at local pubs, board games with friends, and conversations about the literature she would have been revising in lectures. If it all sounds rather normal, Massy-Birch would agree: ‘We got on well, but I think we would have got on well even if nothing had been going on romantically,’ she told Nicholl. ‘It was very much a university thing, just a regular university romance.’ Nassar revealed the news in a heartbreaking statement, whilst his wife Jennifer Gates shared a message of support And, like most regular university romances, it wasn’t to last. Back in England, before matriculating at St Andrews, the Prince had taken a shine to Arabella Musgrave, a family friend whose father ran Cirencester Park Polo Club. The two had met at a house party hosted by the van Cutsems but put their relationship on hold when the Prince moved north of the border Nicholl writes that Carly Massy-Birch left William after issuing an ultimatum: end things with Arabella or find another belle at St Andrews Prince William and Kate Middleton met at St Salvator's Hall, their student building at university And while none may know where Carly’s career led her, the events of that term made their way onto our screens in The Crown. Carly was, say reports, the inspiration for Lola Airdale-Cavendish-Kincaid (‘so posh that she has three surnames’), who meets the Prince on an evening out after Harry calls his brother and tells him to loosen up a little. As The Crown tells it, that was the night William met Kate. He's Time's Person of the Year and the next President of the United States. She is a former small-time Slovenian fashion model who rose to wear the mantle of First Lady. On the eve of the US presidential election back in 2020, friends, DC insiders and Melania herself gave Ben Judah the inside track… all from the comfort of a university dining room Massy Holdings Limited has signed an agreement with Caribbean Distribution Partners Limited (CPDL) to sell its interest in Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited (MDJL) as it continues to realign its strategy in a bid to generate US$4 billion in revenue by 2030 The announcement took place on Monday as staff at MDJL’s Carifta Avenue headquarters were informed of the developments Massy Distribution (Jamaica) is a distribution company involved in the distribution of consumer and pharmaceutical products Some of the consumer products brands that it distributes include Mead Johnson Ekaterra Lipton and Dole while it distributes pharmaceutical products for Sanofi Massy Distribution (Jamaica) generated about TT$395.80 million ($9.196 billion) in revenue or four per cent of Massy’s integrated retail portfolio in 2024 This is a significant improvement when compared to 2019 when the company earned about five per cent of the IR portfolio’s revenue with TT$328.74 million (J$6.497 billion) CDPL is a 50/50 joint venture between Agostini’s Limited and Goddard Enterprises Limited our team has successfully built Massy Distribution (Jamaica) into a strong and reputable business We are proud of what we have achieved and the value we have created we recognise that to take the business to the next level achieving scale in both retail and distribution is essential we didn’t have the scale needed to unlock the full potential of the business who can bring that scale and drive further growth This transition is about ensuring the business thrives in the long term and the market as a whole,” stated Massy Holdings in an email to the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday Massy sent a release to the Trinidadian media on Monday explaining that achieving success in Jamaica required a fully integrated approach of distribution and manufacturing and/or retail “While we have established a strong distribution presence in the market the absence of at least one of the other two components we believe limits our ability to develop the business to its fullest potential.” The release explained that Massy expects CDPL will build on the strong foundation established by MDJL and that the transition will bring even greater success to all its stakeholders Massy acquired H D Hopwood & Company Limited in July 2001 in what was Massy’s biggest investment in Jamaica at that time H D Hopwood acquired Marketing & Distribution Limited in 2009 and the retail operations of Kelly’s Three Miles Warehouse in late 2013 The business was rebranded to Massy Distribution (Jamaica) in July 2014 as part of the group’s push to align its brand across all businesses Massy can trace its roots in Jamaica as far back as August 1958 through Neal & Massy Investments Limited Massy expanded its reach through numerous business lines which included T Geddes Grant IGL (Industrial Gases Limited) and Hi-Lo Food Stores as Massy sought to cauterise those losses and trim the debt on its books with Hi-Lo being sold to GraceKennedy Limited Massy has been involved in numerous business segments in Jamaica over the decades with the company in 2014 owning MDJL Massy Gas Products (Jamaica) Limited (Gas Pro) Massy Technologies InfoCom (Jamaica) Limited and Massy Technologies Applied Imaging (Jamaica) Limited It was even a partner with a 40 per cent stake in Cool Petroleum Holdings which operated a network of Shell stations across Jamaica as Massy made the move in 2017 to become an investment holding company with three core business segments it decided to divest non-core business lines and double down on its core portfolio “Jamaica remains a key market for the Massy Group and we are committed to its growth and development Our US$140.5-million IGL acquisition in 2023 is the Group’s largest to date and demonstrates our confidence in the country’s economic and people potential.,” Massy added in the press release Massy told the Business Observer that it expects the MDJL deal to close by the third quarter (either end of June or September) once regulatory approval for the deal is reached “We would expand our business in Jamaica once we find the right investment opportunities.” Massy Transportation Group Limited registered a subsidiary in Jamaica during January 2023 Massy spent 2024 integrating IGL into its portfolio which saw them even hire an integration manager to oversee the process Both IGL and Gas Pro were able to improve production times and now dominate the packed and bulk LPG market in Jamaica Massy’s Jamaican operations with its three subsidiaries generated TT$1.17 billion ($27.28 billion) in revenue and generated TT$137.99 million ($3.21 billion) in profit before tax in 2024 Massy’s Jamaica asset base was TT$974.50 million ($22.64 billion) and spent TT$54.89 million ($1.28 billion) on capital expenditure during the period it generated TT$713.61 million ($12.60 billion) in revenue and TT$50.73 million ($895.44 million) in net profit Massy’s Jamaican asset base was then TT$371.16 million ($6.55 billion) Massy will have a board meeting on February 6 to consider an interim dividend payment as the company moves to quarterly dividend payments This is based on the company’s commitment to improving dividend frequency after recording its highest cash generated from operations in 2024 of TT$1.35 billion Massy is currently making several capital investments across its integrated retail gas products and motors and machines portfolios As Massy moves towards its 2030 goal of US$4 billion in revenue it will be focusing heavily on the efficiency of its operations as it plans to have 40 per cent of its future growth come from organic activity while the other 60 per cent will come from inorganic activity which is mergers and acquisitions This is also in a bid to ensure the group earns more than half of its revenue in hard currency The conglomerate reported consolidated revenue of US$2.34 billion (TT$15.72 billion) in 2024 and was the largest company on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the end of 2024 “Massy is focused on strengthening our key markets and making decisions that drive long-term value consistent returns for our shareholders as a vehicle for creating intergenerational wealth we continue to invest in the communities we operate in and ensure that our businesses create lasting benefits for all our stakeholders,” Massy closed The Event Will Be Streamed Live on YouTube July 10 at 7:00pm PST   Gilbert 2024 – The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS; www.cras.edu) the premier institution for audio engineering education is proud to welcome iconic music recording engineer/producer Sylvia Massy for its upcoming CRAS LIVE event on July 10 […] The Event Will Be Streamed Live on YouTube July 10 at 7:00pm PST Gilbert, Ariz., July 9, 2024 – The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS; www.cras.edu), the premier institution for audio engineering education, is proud to welcome iconic music recording engineer/producer Sylvia Massy for its upcoming CRAS LIVE event on July 10 at 7:00pm PST. The CRAS LIVE event will be streamed on YouTube “To have Sylvia participate in CRAS LIVE will be an incredible experience for our students,” said Kirt Hamm “Sylvia has participated in sessions with our students in the past and you could see them hanging on her every word…they didn’t want to miss a thing she had to say We can’t thank her enough for her time and her desire to share her knowledge and wisdom with all of us Our students will take this experience with them throughout their entire careers.” Massy (www.sylviamassy.com) is known for her unconventional recording techniques and is the author of the book “Recording Unhinged” “Gaining real-world knowledge and asking questions of someone with the stature of Sylvia Massy is invaluable,” Hamm concluded The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences is composed of two nearby campuses in Gilbert and Tempe all taught by award-winning instructors who have all excelled in their individual fields CRAS structured programs and highly qualified teaching staff provide a professional and supportive atmosphere which is complemented by its small class sizes allowing for individual instruction and assistance for students in engineering audio recordings CRAS has been providing quality vocational training in audio recording for more than three decades The curriculum and equipment are constantly being updated to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the music and sound recording industries CRAS’ course offerings and subject matter have always centered around the skills and knowledge necessary for students’ success in the audio recording industries The 11-month program is designed to allow every student access to learn and train in all of the Conservatory’s studios which are comprised with state-of-the-art audio recording and mixing gear the same equipment used in today’s finest studios and remote broadcast facilities All students must complete a 280-hour industry internship to graduate from the Master Recording Program II that may ultimately lead to industry employment To stream the event, please visit  www.youtube.com/live/hm9fMX5Wwy0 For more information on the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, please visit www.cras.edu, contact Kirt Hamm, administrator, at 1-800-562-6383, or email to [email protected] About The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences Based in the heart of The Valley of the Sun with two campuses in Gilbert and Tempe The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS) is one of the country’s premier institutions for audio education The Conservatory has developed a unique and highly effective way to help the future audio professional launch their careers in the recording industry and other related professional audio categories Charlie Lieb Video: Tom Andes “Static on Every Station” Massy Holdings is set to raise up to $600 million to refinance maturing debt through a fixed-rate bond issue and a medium-term loan the diversified conglomerate announced its intention to issue a $300 million fixed-rate bond and access a separate $300 million medium-term loan "Both arrangements are intended to repay long-term obligations that matured earlier this year and were temporarily covered by short-term bridge financing," the notice said The proposed financial structure will not increase Massy’s overall debt burden as the new funds will solely replace existing liabilities First Citizens Bank will serve as the sole lead arranger for the bond issue and the loan The bond will be offered privately to investors in TT and will carry a 15-year term The notice said interest payments will be fixed and made semi-annually with principal repayments beginning after a five-year moratorium to be settled in equal instalments every six months thereafter will have its interest rate reset annually with quarterly interest payments beginning three months after closing Massy and First Citizens have already agreed to the commercial terms and the transaction is expected to close this month pending all necessary regulatory approvals Log in for full access to stabroeknews.com Only one active session is allowed per subscriber Massy Stores Guyana concluded its 2024/5 Christmas Jackpot Promotion with the grand prize winner driving away with a brand new 2024 Nissan Qashqai Sense SUV car a release from the company announced yesterday offered customers an entry into the grand prize draw for every $5,000 spent at any Massy Stores location nationwide a long-time customer of Massy Stores whose winning purchase was made at Massy Stores Providence winning this car means the world to my family I’m truly grateful to Massy Stores for this opportunity and to God for His many blessings.”  Assistant Vice President of Massy Stores Guyana who handed over the keys to Mentore during a ceremony at the company’s Providence store on Wednesday said that the company was happy to reward Mentore “We are thrilled to reward Ms Mentore for her loyalty Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and promotions like these are our way of giving back to the community.” the Christmas Jackpot Promotion awarded several other lucky customers with bi-weekly cash prizes of $100,000 Bobb-Semple explained that the winners were selected through random draws from different stores “ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the promotion.”   The bi-weekly winners were Joash Joseph – Massy Stores Providence Rajendra Ramkarran – Massy Stores Montrose Gomattie Prashad – Massy Stores Vreed-enHoop and Monique Sarius – Massy Stores Giftland this is the third year in a row Massy Stores has held the Christmas Jackpot promotion Colin Weeks was announced winner of a new 2022 Nissan X-Trail T32 Dr Yara Martinez Diaz won a MG ZS compact SUV  Massy also noted its enhanced integration of Massy Stores Mega with the website shopmassystoresgy.com which allows customers to shop online with ease It also provides a convenient alternative for overseas-based customers to shop for their families and have orders ready for pick-up at Massy Stores Mega offering a simpler option than shipping barrels a self-check-out service is also available at Massy Stores Providence and Massy Stores Mega – the only supermarkets in Guyana to offer this kind of service The self-check out service will soon be available at the Giftland Mall branch A FREE roundup of top news from Guyana you might otherwise miss Massy Arts Society has announced it will close its doors at the end of the year the gallery has become a space for artists and attendees to celebrate and cultivate creativity It’s a community hub that has fosterered connections and championed underrepresented stories and thinkers in art and literature through its events For five years, the gallery mainly operated on unpaid labour, with founder Patricia Massy dedicating countless hours to bring her vision to life. In a heartfelt Instagram post came at a personal cost to Massy—also the founder of Massy Books—and her other pursuits The financial challenges of sustaining the gallery’s operations grew overwhelming which led the board to make the decision to close down “Massy Arts Society has been a testament to the strength of Indigenous women brought to life by a woman exercising her right to self-determination to create a space for art in the community,” reads the board’s statement on Instagram “In a world where such expressions are rarely supported and often obstructed the Society stands as a powerful example of what can flourish when we are given power and agency over our own creative pursuits.”  Massy Arts is inviting the community to celebrate the gallery’s contributions over the coming month encouraging visitors to share their memories and reflections on what the space has meant to them Massey Arts Society is located at 23 East Pender Street and will continue to operate until December 31 Vicki Duong is a writer and a self-proclaimed girl-about-town always down for a local comedy show or an iced matcha latte Your hair was short-cropped and dyed orange has responded to the needs of its neighbours in Grenada and sister isle Carriacou who have suffered the ill-effects of Hurricane Beryl a few weeks ago When the category 4 hurricane struck the islands on July 1st it had a significant impact including the loss of life and considerable damage to homes and physical infrastructure Lucia jumped straight into mobilization mode and on July 2nd a twenty-foot container was dispatched from St This shipment included groceries and other essential items to provide immediate assistance to those most affected by the hurricane Lucia Managing Director – Martin Dorville “This effort is very well aligned to the company’s vision of corporate social responsibility We value people and in times like these it is our responsibility to lend support in whatever way we can Our region is under threat by natural disasters and it is imperative that we be our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper” This gesture was supported by a financial contribution from Republic Bank (EC) Limited and facilitated by Joseph’s Shipping With an active hurricane season predicted this year we therefore encourage businesses and individuals alike to take whatever steps they can to minimize the effects which can be devastating and website in this browser for the next time I comment IN the largest private sector investment ever made by IDB Invest a US$150 million financing package has been granted to Massy Group to support trade The financing package includes a US$90 million long-term loan to upgrade Massy’s capital expenditure IDB Invest and Massy Group announced this strategic partnership at a signing ceremony of the agreement at Hyatt Regency IDB said this agreement will support Massy's expansion plans and help modernise its operations in logistics and distribution with an emphasis on automating business operations a US$60 million trade finance programme will be implemented to enhance intra-regional trade and strengthen Massy’s supply chain platform I think the innovation and the creativity of what was put together is a very symbolic representation of what this group can do and what this region can do collectively with good partners," said James McLetchie Minister of Planning and Development Pennelope Beckles- Robinson speaks at the IDB Invest signing ceremony with Massy Group at Hyatt Regency As we want to become a stronger net contributor of US dollars and hard currency…this is the first step with a partner that is well established to help us access capital." Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson said "TT has been a member of IDB Invest since its inception and the work of the IDB continues to support our government’s commitment to national development strategy Vision 2030." She thanked IDB Invest for its commitment and increased focus on expanding its presence and impact on the Caribbean "Both in terms of financing established companies and also conducting more exploratory work on the ground providing support to small and medium enterprises attracting private investment and creating synergies with the bank’s public sector windows "As these initiatives are executed and we begin to see increased private sector investment and expansion they will lead to significant and sustainable benefits for the people of TT." the IDB Invest portfolio includes five companies: the Home Mortgage Bank TT Mortgage Finance Company Ltd and TT Tissues Ltd The signing of the partnership with Massy Group will bring the value of the portfolio to US$307 million Beckles-Robinson said she looks forward to seeing these numbers grow in the future "The benefits of this are numerous and will resound throughout TT and the Caribbean region They will include increased productivity and engagement with the support of local supply chains across the region Especially food suppliers in the expansion of storage warehousing capacity and the modernisation of payment facilities Jamaica — Three employees of Massy Distribution Limited on Carifta Avenue in St Andrew are under probe after the theft of goods worth about $4 million from the company The employees worked in separate sections of the company The theft was reportedly discovered after the company did an informal audit Reports were that a stock check at the location revealed discrepancies in merchandise This reportedly raised an alarm and triggered an internal investigation the manager and other senior staff members decided to review CCTV recorded footage The footage reportedly showed the suspects packing a large quantity of Enfamil Alacta and other items from the warehouse into the company van It is understood that the suspects were not authorised to move the items and no money was found to account for the missing goods Amnens powder and other items valued at $4 million were unaccounted for JMMB Investments has published November's valuation report for Massy Holdings Ltd (MHL) highlighting growth in some segments and challenges that could affect its trajectory While Massy continues to benefit from acquisitions and improved operational efficiency the company's share price has seen a 19 per cent decline from January-September 2024 This has led to a decrease in the company’s market value with the share price currently around $3.50 below the fair-value estimate range of $3.56-$4.72 per share covering the nine-month period ending June 30 reveals MHL's revenue across its core business units – integrated retail and financial services – has largely performed according to expectations Guyana emerged as a key contributor to the company's profitability with the market accounting for 12 per cent of MHL’s total revenue this segment stood out even more for its significant contribution to profit before tax (PBT) generating 26 per cent of the company’s overall PBT Massy’s recent market valuation is one of its most pressing issues Shareholders may look to CEO David Affonso to balance the company's growth strategies with the macroeconomic pressures outlined in JMMB’s report including the continued challenges in Colombia and Guyana Affonso's appointment in April came on the heels of former CEO Gervase Warner’s early retirement speaking to Newsday shortly after his appointment acknowledged Massy’s future growth strategy hinges on its ability to manage risk while capitalising on its acquisitions "We have seen encouraging synergies from our recent acquisitions particularly in the integrated retail and gas products segments," he said "But we also know that growth cannot be achieved without addressing our internal challenges including market volatility and foreign exchange shortages that impact our bottom line." JMMB’s report highlighted several external risk factors that could further affect MHL’s operations foreign exchange challenges and social unrest Massy is acutely aware of the potential for cyber threats given the company’s previous exposure to a breach in 2022 The company said it has since fortified its cyber-security protocols Massy also faces a currency management challenge "The group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risks from various currency exposures," the report read "The group manages its foreign exchange risk by ensuring that the net exposure in foreign assets and liabilities is acceptable by monitoring currency positions and holding foreign currency balances the International Monetary Fund has issued a call to action regarding TT’s ongoing foreign exchange challenges emphasising that resolving these shortages must be a top priority for this country and given that most Massy businesses are operational in the TT market this shortage can hurt the company's operations." Investor sentiment may also have been dampened by recent controversies surrounding Massy’s shareholder transparency Allegations by former executive Angelique Parisot-Potter about discrepancies in dividend payments – such as select groups receiving US$ dividends – have raised concerns the report suggests that the controversy may have negatively affected the stock’s performance Massy said it remains optimistic about its prospects The company’s recent emphasis on improving its cash conversion cycle is expected to lead to better-working capital management and more efficient cash-flow generation in the near future The company's push into international micro-markets such as the acquisition of Rowe’s IGA supermarket in Jacksonville is expected to provide growth in hard currencies high-growth chains in stable markets as the future of our business model,” Affonso told Newsday “This is where we see the next wave of growth particularly with the way consumer habits are shifting globally.” Massy is focused on expanding its integrated retail and gas products divisions the company faces significant macroeconomic pressures in markets like Colombia currency fluctuations and lower consumer purchasing power have weighed on the performance of the motors and machines portfolio (MMP) combined with financing challenges in Guyana are expected to keep pressure on Massy’s bottom line JMMB's analysts have placed a “buy” recommendation on Massy’s stock with an “outperform” rating citing the company’s continued growth in key business segments and improvements in operational efficiency Massy Stores has announced the launch of its Christmas Jackpot Promotion which offers its customers the chance to win a brand-new 2024 Nissan Qashqai Sense SUV A release from the company informed that from November 1 will qualify shoppers for a chance to drive off in in a new car every two weeks lucky customers will be eligible to win $100,000 throughout the promotion these generous prizes are part of the company’s commitment to reward its customers for choosing Massy Stores as their preferred shopping destination MASSY Group hosted institutional investors stockbrokers and analysts as part of its ongoing commitment to engage key stakeholders and deepen its relationships with the investment community Massy said this event was one of several held throughout the year to discuss the group's progress and performance with its stakeholders customers and investors for their confidence and support "We remain wholly committed to continue delivering on the trust and belief that you have placed in us," Affonso said Despite navigating challenging market conditions Affonso said the board declared a final dividend of 13.63 cents per share bringing the total declared dividend to 16.78 cents per share for the financial year ended September 30 "This milestone reflects Massy’s commitment to balancing shareholder returns with strengthening its financial foundation to support sustainable growth in hard currency earnings," Affonso said the group has announced that starting in the first quarter of the 2025 financial year "This shift to more frequent payments demonstrates the group’s dedication to providing regular and predictable returns for its investors," the release said Speaking on the company’s financial strategy "This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating a stronger future for everyone connected to Massy "Our focus on generating a larger portion of our revenue and profit in hard currency helps protect shareholder investments while ensuring that we have the resources to support our people and the communities we serve." its leadership remains steadfast in driving cash flow growth increasing hard currency earnings and delivering enduring value to its stakeholders Massy Holdings Ltd has announced a major change to its board of directors saying it will reduce their number from 13 to nine The international conglomerate made the announcement in a media release on Monday The transition is set to take place at the close of the conglomerate’s 101st annual meeting when directors are expected to retire on rotation The outgoing directors will be: Peter Jeewan the board commissioned a governance review to facilitate the company’s continuous improvement One of the main recommendations of the review was board optimisation by improving the structure and composition of the parent-company board “Recommendations coming out of this review will improve the structure and governance of the Massy Group will better the group for sustainable growth and enhanced shareholder value,” the release said will consist of 30 per cent executive directors and 70 per cent non-executive directors “This adjustment reflects the board’s commitment to more efficient decision-making enhanced communication and stronger alignment,” the release said Massy announced changes in the portfolios of three senior officers in alignment with the recommendations mentioned The release said group executive vice-president and chairman of its motors and machines portfolio Marc Rostant will become group executive vice president and CEO Group executive vice-president and chairman Vaughn Martin will be group executive vice-president and CEO Group executive vice-president and chairperson Ambika Mongroo will be group executive vice-president and CEO Over the last year Massy has seen a swathe of changes to its management roster After an investigation into training modules for the company’s executive former general counsel and executive vice-president Angelique Parisot-Potter who raised issue with the training modules at the company’s AGM last year In January she was replaced by Wendy Kerry senior vice president of strategy and business development in gas products The company named Nadia Mc Carthy as her replacement and she took up the role in November A non-executive director is a member of a company's board of directors the director does not engage in the day-to-day running of the organisation The responsibilities of a non-executive include monitoring the executive directors assisting with policy-making and acting in the company's best interest The Massy group is an investment holding/management company with three main investment portfolios which include integrated retail The company has been in operation since 1923 It has businesses throughout the region as well as in Columbia and South Florida It is the holding company for over 75 businesses including gas distribution company IGL (St Lucia) IBC Ltd which was acquired in 2022 for US$140.3 million Rowe’s IGA Supermarkets – a chain in Florida – acquired for US$47 million and Air Liquide TT Ltd – a French multinational company that provides industrial gases such as oxygen argon and hydrogen for the healthchare sector – acquired for US$58 million In a recent interview with Newsday group CEO David Affoso and chief fnancial officer James Mc Letchie said the 100-year-old group plans to expand its business into a $25 billion company by the year 2030 The executives said the company intends to go into the next 100 years by expanding in a responsible manner In August Massy Holdings recorded nine-month profits after tax of $465 million for the year up to June 30 from an $11 billion revenue This story has been adjusted to include additional details Massy Holdings Ltd has announced a major shake-up to its board of directors The company named Nadia Mc Carthy as her replacement THE Massy Group has started 2025 on a positive note building on last year's record revenue growth and cash flow This press release said this has strengthened the company's financial position setting the stage for more growth and value for all involved At the annual general meeting on January 15 shareholders showed support for the company's strategy and its commitment to growing sustainably and creating wealth for shareholders and stakeholders smart use of capital and increasing earnings in hard currencies the company is ready to take advantage of opportunities that boost shareholder value and provide the capacity to fund additional USD growth Massy Group's performance in the first quarter showed its ability to grow sustainably while keeping a strong financial discipline Revenue increased by six per cent compared to last year reaching $4.2 billion and demonstrating the strength of Massy's diverse portfolio Profit Before Tax (PBT) grew by four per cent to $307 million while Profit After Tax (PAT) increased by three per cent to $206 million depreciation and amortisation rose by three per cent to $482 million illustrating core profitability as this excludes financing and accounting costs The group said that net cash from operations surged by 227 per cent showing Massy's disciplined approach to cash and working capital efficiency The company's balance sheet continues to get stronger ensuring financial flexibility that can support future funding requirements the Massy Group declared a dividend of 3.54 cents per share for Q1 2025 starting its shift to quarterly dividend payments This much anticipated move demonstrates the company's commitment to providing consistent long-term returns and recognising the important role shareholders play in its success The release said that as Massy Group continues to grow it is committed to enhancing transparency and keeping shareholders informed about the company's direction Massy aims to ensure confidence in its future potential and value * Strengthening core businesses through talent and leadership development * Enhancing shareholder value through innovation and leadership in driving investor confidence * Optimising capital allocation to ensure sustainable The recent sale of Massy Distribution Jamaica Ltd is aligned with the group's strategy of ensuring each of its businesses can achieve its full potential * Providing detailed insights into future growth opportunities through a clear strategic roadmap The group said it remains focused on disciplined execution and operational excellence to build a resilient especially in increasing contributions in hard currency MERGERS and acquisitions expert Moni Miyashita shared her extensive practical experience of using mergers and acquisitions as a powerful engine for global growth as part of a recent two-day event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel A release from Massy Group on October 14 said those attending included Massy’s leadership team – Massy Holdings Ltd chairman Robert Riley Massy Group president and CEO David Affonso executive vice president and Massy Group CFO James McLetchie – and other senior Massy executives The release said Miyashita is a globally recognised leader in the mergers and acquisitions space having spearheaded multi-billion-dollar deals at IBM and biotech company Valo It said Miyashita’s keynote address highlighted how mergers and acquisitions could be a game-changer for companies seeking to grow innovate and surmount challenges in their existing markets She said some key pillars of successful mergers and acquisitions included strategic alignment which meant ensuring acquisitions enhance a company’s overall strategic goals; value creation making sure mergers and acquisitions bring tangible incremental benefits new capabilities and stronger market positions; and disciplined management keeping financial discipline and transparency at the forefront throughout the mergers and acquisitions process to guarantee lasting value The release said over a ten-year period at IBM Miyashita drove the company’s transformation through a US$35 billion mergers and acquisitions strategy contributing to an impressive streak of 40 consecutive quarters of double-digit earnings growth It said at Valo she drove mergers and acquisitions initiatives focused on accelerating innovation in drug discovery and development through advanced data and AI technologies McLetchie said Massy was committed to building world-class mergers and acquisitions strategies He has over 25 years' experience in mergers and acquisitions and has led more than 80 mergers and acquisitions transactions around the world "While studies show that over 70 per cent of acquisitions destroy value companies with strong mergers and acquisitions expertise can create enormous value for shareholders we are committed to disciplined growth through acquisitions and we’re excited to bring seasoned professionals like Moni to share their insights with us locally It’s essential that regional companies with mergers and acquisitions ambitions are part of the 30 per cent of mergers and acquisitions success stories." The release said Massy Group is focused on acquiring companies that are aligned with its long-term strategy and goals CEO David Affonso said future acquisitions will be based on strategic fit and disciplined management to drive sustainable growth He noted that the session with Miyashita had provided invaluable insights and practical strategies that would assist Massy and other regional leaders in finding and executing successful mergers and acquisitions deals The release said Massy is leveraging mergers and acquisitions as a core pillar of its expansion efforts to drive growth and affirm its position as a leader in the Caribbean The company is committed to setting the bar for disciplined value-generating acquisitions that keep the region competitive on the global stage MASSY HOLDINGS Ltd reported a $100.5 million or 12 per cent reduction in after-tax profits as compared to $812.9 million the year before this came out of an 11 per cent increase in the company’s revenue as compared to $14.1 billion for the same period the year before The conglomerate’s audited consolidated financial statements for the 12 months ending September 30 were published on November 26 A news release on November 26 said the reduction in profits was the result of several one-time costs including adjustments to outstanding customer balances increased interest expenses from recent acquisitions and investments “These investments were critical to preparing Massy for long-term success as a modern international investment holding company,” Massy said Massy earned $239 million in profits after tax as compared to $291 million the year before Massy described the company’s performance for the year as “strong.” “We are building a stronger future,” said Massy CEO David Affonso “These results not only reaffirm our financial strength they also reflect our commitment to supporting our employees The group also addressed the changes in its leadership team over the past year Affonso said the changes will strengthen the group “These leaders bring skills and expertise that not only strengthen our ability to deliver financial value but also enhance our efforts to support employees and make a positive impact in the communities we serve.” Dr Karlene Bailey joined as chief risk officer Nadia McCarthy was appointed senior vice president of people and culture Wendy Kerry was promoted to executive vice president and group general counsel and Ambikah Mongroo was appointed executive vice president of the retail portfolio the Robert Riley-led board declared a final dividend per share of 13.63 cents bringing the total dividends per share for the financial year ended September 30 to 16.78 cents an increase of six per cent The company said starting in the first quarter of 2025 Massy will pay dividends every three months instead of annually “This change means our shareholders will receive more frequent and predictable income,” said James McLetchie “It reflects our confidence in Massy’s financial health and aligns with our broader goal of delivering value consistently to everyone —our shareholders Massy Holdings Ltd has appointed current group chief financial officer as executive vice president and deputy group CEO Massy announced the change in a media release on December 6 The appointment will take effect from January 1 bringing with him 30 years of experience in finance "McLetchie began his career with Price Waterhouse in TT before pursuing an MBA in finance and management information systems at Purdue University He then joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in the US where he was part of the global leadership team leading the merger management and organisation teams for the UK and Irish offices." Massy said James’ appointment underscores the board’s commitment to maintaining momentum and delivering stakeholder value through a structured leadership succession process McLetchie will work closely with the group’s current president and CEO His appointment assures a seamless transition maintaining focus on delivering value to all stakeholders in alignment with the group’s strategic priorities." McLetchie will continue as CFO during the transition period while Massy recruits a new CFO This is the latest change in Massy’s executive roster The first change came with former CEO Gervase Warner who decided to retire early in February Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines With the right plan and the right discipline you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration Whether we’re ready or not, summertime has officially arrived and millions of people have already begun trading in their sweatshirts for their swimsuits. For some, hotter months means hitting the gym more to shave off some unwanted winter weight that’s been hiding underneath those oversized coats because celebrity fitness trainer Massy Arias has got you covered with an eight-week summer body plan that focuses on nutrition while prioritizing fitness everyday for a set amount of time that’s delicious “If your nutrition isn’t made a priority in combination with the workouts you decide to do, then these results we are looking for will not be great,” Arias says while working with Athleta to promote their Find Your Movement campaign The Latin-born fitness guru loves to mix up her workouts with cardio like skipping rope cycling and hiking while mixing in lower-impact activities to help her clients target those pesky spots on their bodies that are hardest to tone “I train in a hybrid way which means I prioritize strength workouts,” she says “I add mobility training through yoga modalities and cardiovascular work if Monday I am doing a lower-body strength workout the next day I’m doing a yoga flow with 20-30 minutes of my favorite cardio workout I do an upper-body and core workout from my programming and the following day may look the same with cardiovascular work followed by mobility work I do when I get home.” This workout combines cardio and weight-lifting drills for serious body-sculpting results With a celebrity roster consisting of names like Kelly Rowland the mother of one knows how hard it can be to find time to pack a workout in so finding a workout that fits with your lifestyle is important “I feel like the majority of the population thinks that they have to work out really hard in order to accomplish a goal and they don’t take the whole body as a whole in consideration,” Arias shares “Smart programming that takes functional patterns tendon health and core stability in consideration as the foundation of those workout is what I advise someone to look out when choosing to exercise There should be a variety of exercise selection to help you be more functional outside of the gym and not hurt you in the process or going to the beach to relax and spend time with my family even if we use those opportunities to be active and workout together.” and Arias says when it comes to achieving that look “Toning is just having enough muscle mass and decrease body fat to see that well-earned muscle,” Arias says “If you want to tone a certain area of your body the focus should be strength training and eating to accommodate the recovery of that muscle to achieve hypertrophy If you’re not eating enough protein to sustain the muscle you are trying to build and maintain Most women think of being on a deficit of calories when the focus should be on choosing the right foods to curve hunger and feed our lean muscle mass needs.” She adds: “When you perform strength training despite of the exercise selection of movements you are creating tears in the muscle fibers and with proper recovery and meeting your protein needs you need to lift and you need to accommodate your protein requirements on a daily basis to see that happen and also maintaining it.” A post shared by Massy Arias (@massy.arias) who just launched her own Summer Shape Up challenge with her millions of social media followers shares eight weeks is more than enough time to see results and feel good “Our challenges vary in time and commitment but I believe that any amount of time you can devote to fitness and focusing on your physicality is improving your wellbeing,” Arias says The principles you learn in our programming will be sustainable and you will continue to see progress all on your own I am a believer that everyone moves at their own pace I want people to have the education they need to create change on their own and be able to fit in into their lifestyles or better yet while equally motivated and excited about their movement.” Arias says it’s important to focus on non-processed low sugar foods to compliment the hard work you’re putting in during workouts in order to see results “I would eliminate processed foods,” Arias said And start including all Whole Foods in your diet If the food you’re eating has gone through so much processing it no longer resembles what it was to begin with Look at the sugar in most soft drinks and juices including Starbucks drinks which have so much sugar.” Hydrating properly is just as important to flush the body out and Massy Arias even has tips for people who need to sweeten things up “Start drinking water alone even if you decide to infuse the water with fruit “When you eliminate the added sugars even if it’s fruit juice you will maintain better levels of insulin in the body which will crave your hunger eat the fruit instead of having a glass of the juice of that fruit When you do this you are actually consuming the fiber that will curb your hunger and satiate you for longer.” Arias also notes carbs are an important part of your diet “When the carbs you choose are refined and processed they probably do not have any fiber which is responsible to keep your insulin controlled and keep you satiated,” Arias says “Start looking at the nutrition content of these carbohydrates and choose the one with most fiber Each serving that is providing you with more than 2g of fiber per serving Women need about 25g of fiber a day and you will achieve those numbers with fruits and carbohydrates that are loaded with fiber [like] oatmeal which is why Massy Arias has teamed up with Athleta to get her through her workouts looking as stylish and practical as possible all summer long Why sustaining a constant state of hydration is critical How Mexico’s flag football captain became a Super Bowl star Coach Dani Coleman shares the methods behind the actress' super-fit physique The svelte Sliver star still looks stunning at age 66 THE MASSY Group has boasted its second consecutive year of record-breaking financial performance and a six per cent increase in dividend payout The group issued a public announcement in the Newsday (page 6) on January 16 a day after its 101st annual general meeting (AGM) at the Hilton Trinidad highlighting its highest-ever revenue and cash flow figures Chairman Robert Riley delivered opening remarks expressing pride in the company’s performance Massy saw an 11 per cent growth in revenue to $15.7 billion and a 33 per cent increase in net cash flow He attributed the results to improvements in working capital management and praised the group’s over 13,000 employees for their dedication “The group also demonstrated financial resilience with a strengthened balance sheet and greater agility for future investment and growth,” Riley said adding that the performance validated Massy’s growth and sustainability strategy outlined the group’s ambitious “2030 Vision” of achieving $25 billion in revenue with more than half earned in hard currency He said the vision would be driven by organic growth from existing businesses and disciplined mergers and acquisitions Affonso also credited Massy’s progress with governance strengthening and governance (ESG) matters and improved investor relations earned Massy recognition from the TT and Jamaica stock exchanges for its governance practices in 2024 The CEO acknowledged challenges in the past year but framed them as opportunities to demonstrate resilience “Operational excellence and cash generation (are also) key to our 2030 vision as we aim to make the Massy share a best-in-class stock creating intergenerational wealth for all of our shareholders.” Affonso said The group also announced its move to quarterly dividend payments starting in the 2025 financial year a significant shift aimed at enhancing shareholder value Massy expressed gratitude to independent director Suresh Maharaj who retired from the board after serving since May 2017 a respected corporate and investment banking figure was credited for his transformative leadership and pivotal role in Massy’s divestment strategy Massy said under his stewardship the company achieved strategic outcomes that bolstered efficiency and aligned with long-term goals THE Massy Group announced on February 3 that it signed a share purchase agreement with Caribbean Distribution Partners Limited (CDP) for the sale of 100 per cent of the shareholding of Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited The transaction will be completed subject to regulatory approvals The sale of Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Ltd aligns with the Massy Group’s strategy to ensure each of the group’s businesses is best positioned to achieve its full potential “We believe that achieving success in Jamaica requires a fully integrated approach with a combination of distribution and manufacturing and/or retail While we have established a strong distribution presence in the market we believe limits our ability to develop the business to its fullest potential,” the group said The release said the group expects that Caribbean Distribution Partners will build on the strong foundation established by the Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Ltd team and that this transition will bring even greater success to employees Jamaica remains a key market for the Massy Group “and we are committed to its growth and development Our US$140.5 million IGL acquisition in 2023 is the Group’s largest to date and demonstrates our confidence in the country’s economic and people potential We will continue to actively participate and invest in Jamaica either through our business on the ground or through our local partnerships Massy Holdings Ltd is an investment holding company with three main investment portfolios: integrated retail gas products and motor sand machines as well as a financial services line of business MASSY Holdings Ltd has announced Chloe Bermudez “Bermudez has been the CEO of Bermudez Group Limited since 2017 and was elected chairperson of its board of directors in 2018,” Massy said in a release on March 12 “Bermudez holds a BSc in microbiology from Imperial College London an MA in law from Cambridge University and an LLM in intellectual property and technology law from Edinburgh University.” The release described Bermudez as a seasoned executive with extensive experience in corporate strategy “Bermudez brings a strong entrepreneurial mindset and significant regional experience in manufacturing and distribution to the board.” who resigned from her position as an independent non-executive director The release said Khan decided to step down from the role as independent non-executive director to focus on her substantive executive role “Khan has been a valued member of the board since 2019 serving as both a director and member of the audit and risk committee.” the release said “During her tenure she also chaired the audit committee on the Massy Gas Products portfolio board.” Since former Massy CEO Gervase Warner stepped down from his role in February 2024 there has been a list of changes to Massy’s executive roster Former general counsel and executive vice president Angelique Parisot-Potter left the company in 2023 after some controversy She was replaced by Wendy Kerry in January announced his resignation in March last year people and culture announced her retirement in September In November Massy announced a reduction in their number of members on the board of directors The move came from a governance review done in March last year to facilitate the company’s improvement One of the main recommendations of the review was board optimisation Massy said its board will consist of 30 per cent executive directors and 70 per cent non-executive directors A non-executive director is a member of a company’s board of directors who is not part of the executive team A non-executive director does not engage in the day-to-day running of the company The responsibilities of a non-executive director includes monitoring the executive directors assisting with policy-making and acting in the interest of the company A former national footballer was ordered to compensate Massy Stores after stealing rum which he claimed he uses to numb the pain he feels as a result of medical issues regarding his prostate Ivan Dupont appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate 2025 where he pleaded guilty that on March 27 and April 8 2025 he stole two one-quart of Sunset Strong Rum valued EC$27.12 The facts are that on March 27 at about 11:06 a.m was walking about the supermarket completing his routine checks when he recognized Dupont was in the line at cashier number four DaSilva became suspicious and reviewed CCTV footage of Dupont’s movement while he was in the supermarket The footage showed Dupont picking up a quart of Sunset Strong Rum valued at EC$13.56 then walking past the cashier without paying for it DaSilva saved the footage on a flash drive DaSilva observed Dupont take a quart of Sunset Strong Rum and go to Aisle 3 with it in his hand He then returned without the rum in his hand and walked out of the supermarket without going to the cashier DaSilva approached Dupont and identified himself Click here to subscribe to read the full article in the E-paper! MASSY Stores has announced the impending sale of its in-store pharmacy assets to SuperPharm allowing the brand to sell out of its current locations Massy said the sale would benefit Massy Stores customers affording them an enhanced experience and “specialised service.” SuperPharm and Massy Stores have ten locations in Trinidad each but none in Tobago Chief executive Kavi Panday said the move “is consistent with Massy’s transformational agenda as they remain focused on innovating supermarket retail in Trinidad.” Massy said the transition is “expected to cause minimal disruption” to the pharmacies Massy Stores said loyalty card holders would continue to receive benefits at the in-store pharmacies and that the in-store pharmacies would operate independently when the sale is completed “We are excited to partner with Massy Stores…As specialists in the retail pharmacy business SuperPharm is widely known for expert counselling by our pharmacists genuine products and the continuous value we add Five months after a devastating explosion at their East Bank Demerara (EBD) shop “R&J Grocery Depot” Jaiwantie Samaroo and her family are still waiting for any acknowledgment of fault from Massy Gas and compensation Stabroek News (SN) contacted Massy Gas for a comment on whether the company had completed its investigation and to share their findings The statement was promised for submission on January 6th The explosion took place early on the morning of August 1 Samaroo recounted the events leading up to the explosion to SN and I saw the gas bottle I had was frothing up and freezing so I took it out of the room and replaced it with another.” However she opined that the bottle she replaced may not have been the culprit “The brains nah tell me that the thing bin a fume up whole night when me light then me pitch way and the whole shop in fire so is nah the bottle that meh change wuh bin cause the explosion I feel was the one that was there overnight and did leaking.” She also mentioned that Massy Gas tested the same bottle responsible for the explosion and declared it was “okay.” “The fire service came the day the explosion happened and they did something They took me under there and they said they will write a report in my favour I said you don’t have to write a report in my favour there is the bottle that caused the explosion Perreira was highly critical of the fire service it’s not we’re doing any horseplay with the cylinder and I walk away … We whole back wall blow away it costs us close to $860,000 to fix back everything everything.” Perreira said that Massy Gas’ response was focused solely on the gas cylinder involved in the explosion she [his wife] got discharged the same day and I asked them to just go up and give she a peep He further described how the representatives seemed detached from the human aspect of the situation Inniss from Trinidad and there was a lady named Ms but those guys every time they come they want the gas cylinder three times they come and they want the gas cylinder.” Samaroo and Perreira also expressed frustration with the legal process claiming that their lawyer had failed to take action on their behalf telling me that Massy say how the time has elapsed how they can’t test the bottle anymore,” Perreira explained “I don’t know that they got expiry date to test the bottle The time elapsed and they gave us enough time to go in with the bottle they would not be testing the bottle anymore I know my lawyer backed out.” He added that after seeking legal help in October Bailey linked up this lawyer for us in like October time I sent voice notes to this man the 23rd of December the family filed a complaint with the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) of the Ministry of Tourism and even taking the cylinder to be tested for leaks Perreira pointed to a second incident involving another leaking Massy gas cylinder he had wanted me to take in the cylinder alone now when we had a date to take in the cylinder we have a lawyer … and we go in and (the lawyer)  said we have to come with a professional person.” However Perreira claimed that even their lawyer and a technician backed out at the last minute “Everybody just backing out on us,” he said The family also disclosed to SN that they attempted to bring this situation to the attention of President Irfaan Ali hoping that he would delegate responsibility and ensure that justice is served they reported no response or intervention from that effort the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission said it had noted recent incidents involving critical injuries to consumers and severe damage to property during the use of a particular brand of cooking gas product according to a release extended its compassion to those affected and their families “even as we engage them privately” The CCAC reminded suppliers of goods and services that Part X Section   78 of the Consumer Affairs Act No 13 of 2011 requires that a person shall not:  Supply consumer goods or services which fail to comply with the general safety requirements Offer or agree to supply goods or services that are not safe; or Expose or possess unsafe goods or goods or services supply A person who contravenes this subsection of the Act commits an offence “Following the first two official complaints filed by the affected persons we have commenced our investigations which will engage the relevant industry experts to make assessments and recommendations based on their findings The CCAC intends to pursue these investigations until there is redress” we urge consumers to exercise the greatest caution and safety protocols during the use of cooking gas products Consumers are reminded to reach out to the CCAC on its website: ccac.gov.gy or WhatsApp (592)-625-0557 if there are any complaints” were hospitalized in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital following an explosion involving a Massy cylinder at their Foulis East Coast Demerara residence at about 5:45 am on Saturday Tuschen resident Annalisa Boodwah was left deeply traumatized  after her 20-lb Massy Gas bottle caught fire around 11 am Detailing the events leading up to the fire well I waited for the stove to heat up a little nah wait for the stove to heat up then put in the cake My phone rang at the same time so I went to answer the phone By the time I answer the call and walk back and go to the kitchen when I reach now I see the whole top of the bottle full of fire so like I done start panic because like it’s a brand new gas and I thinking if I go down there now it will blow up and I will get myself damage so I run out back and stand up by the kitchen door and dash water from a distance but it didn’t outing it just keep raising raising all the time That is when I decide to come out and holler for help This neighbour over that side come out and he take a spade and push the bottle out and throw sand on it Region Five grappled with the aftermath of a 20-lb Massy gas bottle explosion that rocked their home leaving them without basic necessities 2024 Stabroek News reported that a life-threatening situation was narrowly avoided in a Better Hope home on November 29 thanks to the quick thinking and calm actions of Necolese Alexander Massy has since said it has launched a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about the safe use of cooking gas Awareness and adherence to safety practices are critical in preventing incidents and ensuring customer safety consumers can contact Massy Gas Products at 233-2728 or the hotline 600-0839 The battle against mounting waste took a significant leap forward as Massy Stores joined forces with Greening the Caribbean to tackle environmental challenges head-on The re-launch of a recycling initiative seeks to provide Saint Lucians with a responsible and sustainable solution to dispose of their electronic waste and aluminum products preventing them from contributing to landfill overflow Greening the Caribbean is recognized for its specialized waste management and recycling services and this program is designed to promote a circular economic approach to waste management where materials are continually reused and recycled instead of being indiscriminately discarded The latest collection drive took place on Saturday and focused on collecting electronic waste The aim is to provide Saint Lucians with a proper disposal option and to encourage responsible waste management practices thus preventing harmful materials from polluting the environment Chief Operating Officer of Greening the Caribbean explained the importance of the initiative “Massy has been an integral partner in this effort to promote sustainability in Saint Lucia Our shared commitment to protecting the environment is evident in this drive which offers residents a safe and responsible way to dispose of their electronics and recyclable materials.” The collection trailer was stationed at the Massy Mega location welcoming recyclables from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM where residents could drop off their e-waste Division Head for Marketing and Corporate Communications at Massy Stores emphasized the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the company’s growing efforts to make a positive impact on the island we’re proud to be part of this initiative to promote a cleaner We’re not only helping to reduce waste but also providing our customers with a simple and effective way to be part of the recycling solution This is just one step in our ongoing commitment to protect the environment We’re not just collecting recyclables—we’re creating an opportunity for communities to actively participate and make a difference We want to make recycling as easy as possible for everyone and this is just one of the many ways we can all come together to put a positive impact back into the environment.” shared his satisfaction with the new recycling option “I had old electronics that I didn’t know how to dispose of properly It’s so great to finally have an option to get rid of them responsibly instead of throwing them by the roadside and I’m glad Massy is leading the charge.” The program is not just about proper disposal—it’s also about raising awareness and instilling lasting habits of recycling The campaign encourages Saint Lucians to “Become Recycling Heros” by joining the community-centered environmental effort and making sustainable choices for the future Jamaica – Caribbean technology conference Tech Beach Retreat has announced Google and Massy Group as lead sponsors for its Jamaica staging It marks a significant milestone in the conference’s mission to transform the Caribbean’s digital landscape Tech Beach touted in the release that the partnership brings together two global powerhouses – Google one of the Caribbean’s largest and most diversified investment holding companies – and noted that their collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to fostering technological advancement in the region “TBR supports the digital transformation and ecosystem ambitions of numerous corporates We are thrilled to once again have the buy-in and confidence of technology leader Google and Massy to partner on new and innovative solutions to build their businesses and benefit the overall ecosystem Their investment will enable us to create an even more impactful experience for our attendees and further our mission of positioning the Caribbean as a global tech hub,” said Kirk Anthony Hamilton Google is quoted in the release as being proud to partner with Tech Beach for a third time Tech Beach said the sponsorship will enhance its ability to bring world-class speakers and thought leaders to the Caribbean provide enhanced networking opportunities for attendees and facilitate knowledge transfer between global tech leaders and Caribbean innovators “Tech Beach Retreat’s success is not possible without partnerships like these In aligning with our vision to create a holistic space for like-minded individuals in technology we have been able to collaborate with some of the best talent on the planet on groundbreaking ideas to change the world Having a global giant such as Google paired with a regional powerhouse like Massy is the kind of result we pursue – attracting global influence while elevating regional excellence in a mutually beneficial environment,” said Kyle Maloney This year’s existing roster of presenters includes James McLetchie Massy Group Chief Financial Officer; Hans Malzar Microsoft Director of Public Affairs and Citizenship Tech Beach boasted that it continues to serve as a catalyst for technology and innovation in the Caribbean The upcoming event will feature keynote speeches and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and drive regional innovation Massy Holdings says it wants to be a company that generates $25 billion in revenue by the year 2030 In a conversation with Newsday on August 16 it said this is a goal it is well on the way to meeting as its half-year results indicate its revenue has increased by 13 per cent The company’s financial result for the nine months ending June 30 was $11.7 billion compared to $10.3 billion for the same period in 2023 It also recorded $465 million in profits for the period Group CEO David Affonso and CFO James McLetchie said they expect the company to close off this financial year between $15 billion and $16 billion the more we can do in our stores and in our communities," McLetchie said Affonso said the company plans to reach its goal by developing the three portfolios of its company – retail and distribution; motors and machines and gas products "Those are the three areas where we felt we had some scale and on what we could build our future," he said "We are now doing a bit of refining on our business model "We are refining the structures that support the three businesses so that our team could look for capital for the entire group and decide where to deploy it to get the best returns." While the revenue is a significant highlight Affonso said the group’s cash flow for the period was even more so Its consolidated statement of cash flows for the period revealed that for the nine months ending June 2023 the company garnered $640.4 million in cash Affonso said improving cash flows was one of the major goals of the company this year He said hard cash is needed to support its shareholders "When we sell a customer $100,000 worth of goods we book the profits "If you have a lot of inventory in your warehouse That is what we have been doing when we talk about operational excellence – getting a turnaround on the cash as fast as possible." He said the company made the increase in cash through simple discipline Simple discipline freed up over $400 million," Affonso said the group's Jamaican company IGL Ltd was named Best of Chamber – Large category by the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce at its awards ceremony Massy said the accolade not only acknowledges the company’s financial performance it also notes the group's safety practices governance and corporate social responsibility Massy acquired IGL for US$140 million last year Massy Gas Products CEO Peter Graham said the award was a testament to the company’s dedication to high standards and values "IGL has been part of the fabric of Jamaican life for the past six decades," he said "This is a team win made possible by dedicated Jamaican staff members who turn up every day with a positive attitude and a 'can-do' mindset." a generous cheque for $16,300 was presented to the St Lucia Diabetes Association (SLDHA) at their office continuing Massy Stores Ltd.’s long-standing commitment to supporting the fight against diabetes in St The cheque was handed over by Ms Kittel Raphael-Dubois Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer at Massy Stores Ltd. which represents a portion of Massy’s annual contribution to the Association along with $8,300 raised from Massy’s clients across their various outlets throughout November which is recognized as Diabetes Awareness Month Ms Raphael-Dubois expressed her satisfaction with the ongoing partnership and said “We are proud to be a long-time supporter of the St and we look forward to an even more significant contribution next time around These funds are crucial for the Association’s mission and it’s our pleasure to help make a difference in the lives of those affected by diabetes.” The funds will play a key role in supporting the SLDHA’s critical services to individuals living with diabetes across the island Lucia’s adult population is affected by diabetes with the prevalence steadily rising each year The contributions from Massy and its clients are vital in providing education and support services to manage the disease which remains one of the leading causes of death in the country organizations like the SLDHA rely heavily on the generosity of sponsors like Massy to achieve their goals and continue their important work “Non-profit organizations like the SLDHA make a huge difference in the community and we are grateful to partners like Massy Stores for their unwavering support,” said Mr Lucia Diabetes Association recently hosted a thank you cocktail in November 2024 recognizing all their sponsors and prospective supporters The event served as a reminder of the collective efforts needed to tackle the growing diabetes crisis in the region Lucia continues to face significant health challenges due to diabetes the continued partnership with such sponsors ensures that vital services remain accessible to those who need them most Massy Stores SLU says it is pleased to continue its support for the arts and culture of Saint Lucia through a partnership with the Saint Lucia Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) the sponsorship cheque presentation took place last Thursday at Sandals Halcyon This contribution is in line with Massy Stores’ ongoing commitment to enhancing the local cultural landscape and promoting the rich artistic heritage of Saint Lucia The sponsorship will provide essential support to the CDF as it works to foster cultural development through various programmes an event that showcases the vibrancy and creativity of our island,” said Kelly Mitchell Head – Marketing and Corporate Communications at Massy Stores SLU Lucia Cultural Development Foundation is a natural extension of our commitment to Saint Lucia’s growth and cultural preservation The arts have always been an integral part of our culture and Massy Stores is honored to contribute to its continued development.” “Our partnership with Massy Stores for Art and the City (AATC) 2025 allows the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) greater support in the development and promotion of our creative talent and the creative industries of St Director – Business Development of the Cultural Development Foundation “Their partnership underscores the importance of collaborations with the private sector to allow the (CDF) to do more in fostering creativity empowering our artist and creating a stage for our Saint Lucian talent and culture to thrive.” Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration of music and Massy Stores is excited to be part of this important cultural event The partnership underscores the company’s dedication to supporting the arts and investing in the cultural future of Saint Lucia MASSY Holdings has announced another change in its executive roster the appointment of Nadia McCarthy as senior vice president of group people and culture She takes over from Julie Avey who announced her retirement from the company A notification on the TT Stock Exchange website on September 11 said her appointment will take effect on November 1 This is the latest adjustment in a list of changes in Massy’s executive starting with former CEO Gervase Warner’s decision to retire early in February After an investigation into training modules among the company’s executive Angelique Parisot-Potter took administrative leave which led to Wendy Kerry being appointed acting general counsel in January David O’Brian announced his resignation in March Albert Rojo retired as senior vice president of strategy and business development in gas products in an interview with Business Day in August while they do not affect the company’s operation show the depth of the company’s executive roster direction sometimes changes a bit," he said in August "There may be some course correction or the person at the top may probably have a different view of how things should happen Other executives will also have decisions to make as with any inflection point… there is nothing sinister about it," he said.