New board appointed for BIT

Mar 17, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) is pleased to announce the appointment of its newly inducted Board, which will serve for the period January 23, 2026 to January 22, 2027.

President of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Kathy Smith will serve as Chairperson. According to a press release from the Ministry of Labour, Smith becomes the first woman to hold the position of Chairperson in BIT’s 115-year history. “Ms. Smith brings to the Board a wealth of experience and knowledge accumulated over several decades. She is widely recognised as a prominent leader within the Guyanese business community and a strong advocate for private sector development and economic growth,” the press release stated.

Chairperson of BIT, Kathy Smith and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Maughn.

In 2025, Ms. Smith also made history when she became the first female President of the GCCI in its 136-year history. “Her leadership experience and commitment to strengthening the relationship between industry and workforce development will be invaluable to the work of the Board of Industrial Training,” the release added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith expressed confidence that the newly appointed Board will continue to strengthen the role of the Board of Industrial Training in advancing national workforce development and expanding opportunities for skills training across Guyana. Under the leadership of the Chairperson and the newly appointed Board, BIT will continue to focus on strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET), addressing skills gaps through stronger alignment with industry needs, and expanding partnerships with the private sector in support of Guyana’s growing economy, Griffith said.

In addition to Smith, the other members of the board are: Vice-Chair – Mr. Ganesh Singh; John Edghill; Andrea Benjamin, Yannick Garraway, Sheila Verasammy, Karen Roopchand, Desa Liverpool, Penelope Harris, Michael Turner, Krishn Sharma and Suresh Singh. The Ex-Officio Members are: Indrani Ramnarine, Jainarine Sarjoo Sookpaul and CEO of BIT, Richard Maughn.

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Board of Industrial Training, Kathy Smith, Richard Maughn, TVET

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