GraceKennedy Limited (GK) is undergoing a significant leadership transition within its financial services division, signaling a new era for GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) and GraceKennedy Financial Group (GKFG). The company has announced that Margaret Campbell will take the reins as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GKMS on April 1, 2025, while Steven Whittingham will step in as CEO of GKFG later in the year.
The restructuring follows the retirement of Grace Burnett, who has served as CEO for both entities and will officially depart in late 2025. Under her leadership, GKMS expanded its regional footprint and strengthened its compliance framework, cementing its status as a leader in money services across the Caribbean.
New Leadership, Same Vision
Campbell, currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of GKMS, is a long-serving executive with nearly 30 years at the company. Her deep expertise in finance, operations, and regional expansion makes her well-positioned to lead GKMS into its next phase. She has held key roles, including Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Country Manager for GKMS Jamaica. Additionally, she is the President of the Jamaica Money Remitters Association and a Fellow Certified Chartered Accountant.
With her appointment, Campbell is expected to focus on enhancing GKMS’s digital capabilities, expanding remittance services, and strengthening financial inclusion initiatives in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
Steven Whittingham to Take Over GKFG
As part of the broader leadership realignment, Steven Whittingham has been named as the next CEO of GraceKennedy Financial Group (GKFG), effective August 2025. Whittingham has been a driving force behind GK’s mergers, acquisitions, and digital transformation strategy, playing a key role in the company’s fintech expansion and banking innovations.
His leadership comes at a time when the regional financial landscape is evolving rapidly, with increased competition from digital-first financial service providers. Whittingham is expected to accelerate GKFG’s growth strategy, focusing on banking, insurance, and digital payments.
Lee-Anne Bruce Steps in as New COO
In another key move, Lee-Anne Bruce has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of GKMS, effective April 1, 2025. Bruce, currently GraceKennedy’s Chief Audit Executive, has more than 20 years of experience at the company and has previously served as Group Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer. She holds a business degree from Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.
Her appointment underscores GK’s commitment to strengthening risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency as the company continues to grow in the financial services sector.
Strategic Moves for Future Growth
The leadership changes follow a series of executive transitions at GraceKennedy. The company recently appointed Frank James as Group CEO, following the retirement of longtime leader Don Wehby, who spearheaded GK’s transformation over more than a decade. Under Wehby’s tenure, GK’s revenue grew from $58 billion in 2011 to $155 billion in 2023.
With the financial services arm being one of the primary revenue drivers for the GraceKennedy Group, these leadership shifts signal a strategic push to solidify GK’s presence in the banking, remittance, and digital payments sectors. The company is preparing for increased competition from regional fintech firms and traditional financial institutions, positioning itself for continued dominance in the Caribbean market.
As April 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on Campbell, Whittingham, and Bruce to see how they will navigate the next chapter of GraceKennedy’s financial services expansion.
