WHEN Professor Leslie Robinson pitched a pioneering actuarial science degree programme at The University of the West Indies in 1994, Gary-Vaughn White had little idea about the exciting journey on which he would embark.

Though initially unaware of the programme’s scope, White yielded to the encouragement of the now-late academic and joined 19 others in reading for a bachelor’s degree. The course at the time offered broad exposure including finance, economics, investments, computing and mathematics which prepared him for an easy transition into the world of treasury & investment management.

The Munro College alumnus developed a passion for the profession, falling in love with a vocation that involves much more than statistics, probability, and risk analysis. That laid the foundation for climbing the ladder of success over a 22-year career at Scotia Group, from senior financial analyst to now having executive oversight of its general insurance arm.

About six years into his Scotiabank journey, he matriculated into the bank’s management trainee programme before joining the treasury unit, where he has spent most of his career, including a decade as its head. That posting offered White great satisfaction.

“We really did a lot in treasury. We were able to grow the forex business through a strong focus on customer service and pricing,” said White, who is Scotia’s senior vice-president of collateral protection for the Caribbean, Central America, and Uruguay.

“We were able to grow the FX business where we saw revenue move from 10-12 per cent to 30 per cent in terms of the proportion of FX revenues to the overall non-interest revenue of the bank,” the 46-year-old said proudly.

Functional competence is key to making the right call on earnings forecasts and behavioural trends, but White insists that softer interpersonal skills — respect, caring, fun, and courage — are just as important in management and leadership.

“As a leader, you have to have a vision, and once you’re able to get your team members to buy into that vision, then it makes it a lot easier to push your strategic imperatives.

“You’ll have to keep reassessing on a very regular basis, but once you have that end goal in mind, then it makes that journey easier for you to accomplish,” he added.

The finance guru’s technical competence and analytical skill have transcended the boundaries of his core job, influencing his philosophy and outlook as a husband, dad and family man.

The married father of two has sought to find that sweet spot of work-life balance. His religious devotion as a committed Christian forms the bedrock of his values.

“I’m someone who is very clear on my goals, whether at work or at home. I try my very best to be there for my family,” said the senior vice-president, who also has a Master of Science in Economics.

” … I’m a firm believer in Christ. My foundation is built on the principles I learned from the Bible and so it makes it that much easier for me. I’m not easily swayed by any new fad, so I try to live my life by example.”

Having headed Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited in 2022, White considers it an “honour and privilege” to take the reins at Scotia General Insurance Agency. He is optimistic about building out capacity at the agency, maximising efficiency, and setting the organisation on a strong growth trajectory.

White has given back of his time, experience and wisdom in sports administration, the church, and education. He is a member of the Advisory Committee in the Faculty of Science and Sport, University of Technology, Jamaica for the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Education and the Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science degree programmes; serves on the Jamaica Hockey Federation’s Finance Committee; has membership at Swallowfield Chapel; is on the Fundraising Committee of Youth Reaching Youth; and on the parent-teacher associations of Campion College and St Hugh’s Prep School.

Looking back on a career that started at the now-defunct Mutual Life in the 1990s, the veteran Scotiabanker encourages other professionals to explore diverse job opportunities in the finance and insurance industries.