Winston Bayley, GCM, has capped 17 years of distinguished service as University Bursar/Director of Finance at The University of the West Indies (UWI).  Mr Bayley is credited with revamping the financial management of the University, despite local and regional economic challenges.

Speaking at a farewell ceremony at the residence of the UWI Vice Chancellor, Mona, Jamaica, on June 18th, 2010, Professor Brian Meekes, Public Orator of the UWI Mona Campus, described Mr Bayley as “the quintessential man of numbers.” Noting that The UWI has recorded a surplus in its operating budget each year since Mr. Bayley assumed the position of University Bursar, Professor Meekes also commended his role in “improved relationships with contributing governments, heightened staff morale and team building.”  He was lauded for his “contribution to the development of higher education in the region through his enlightened and pragmatic stewardship of The UWI’s finances.”

A native of Barbados, Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants of London (FCCA) and a graduate of The UWI, Mona (BSc. Econ), Winston Bayley has served Jamaica’s academic and corporate sectors for over 47 years, including stints as a teacher at Vere Technical High School; Financial Controller and Manager of Systems & Procedures at Air Jamaica Limited; Managing Director of Facey Commodity Company Limited and Vice President, Finance & Administration at Industrial Commercial Developments Group (ICD).

He has been honoured by several Caribbean and Jamaican organisations including the Caribbean Association of Industry & Commerce, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, the Consular Corps of Jamaica, UWI Press and the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies, which named him a “Caribbean Luminary.”

Mr. Bayley, Honorary Consul of Barbados to Jamaica since 1982 was in 2007 one of four Barbadians awarded the Gold Crown of Merit (GCM) when 21 Barbadians received national honours at a ceremony in celebration of the 41st anniversary of Barbados’ independence.

He was awarded the GCM “in recognition of his outstanding contribution and unwavering commitment to the service of his country, and the Barbadian people, especially those resident in Jamaica” and was said to “typify the much advertised warmth and hospitality of the Barbadian people in the execution of his duties as Honorary Consul where he is called upon to act as Diplomat, host, facilitator, advisor, advocate and liaison.”

A number of speakers lauded Mr. Bayley for his “service and contribution to the Caribbean and Jamaica” at the farewell ceremony including the Hon. Ronald Jones, Minister of Education, Barbados; Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor, UWI; Prof. E. Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor, UWI; Mr. Joseph Pereira, Deputy Principal, UWI, Mona; Mrs. Elaine Robinson, Bursar, UWI, Mona and Mrs. Mabel Marsh, Representing the Office of Finance.