Mrs. Audrey Tugwell Henry is a distinguished banking executive and the President and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica Limited, one of Jamaica’s leading financial institutions. Appointed to the top post on January 1, 2021, she brought over 34 years of banking experience to the role. Taking the helm in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tugwell Henry navigated the organization through unprecedented challenges with steady leadership and strategic vision. Under her stewardship, Scotiabank Jamaica has maintained its reputation as a pillar of stability and performance in Jamaica’s financial sector, even regaining its position as a pre-eminent banking house on the island.
Mrs. Tugwell Henry’s career trajectory is a testament to dedication and excellence. Hailing from Montego Bay, Jamaica, she began her professional life as an educator, teaching English at Herbert Morrison Technical High School, before transitioning to finance in 1987 as a bank teller. Over the decades, she rose through the ranks of Jamaica’s banking industry on merit, taking on key leadership roles. She served at Citibank and later at National Commercial Bank (NCB) as Senior General Manager of Retail Banking, honing her expertise in retail and electronic banking. In 2017, she returned to Scotiabank as Executive Vice President for Retail and Small Business Banking across the Caribbean, laying the groundwork for her ascent to the presidency. Mrs. Tugwell Henry’s academic credentials include a Diploma in Education from Church Teachers’ College, a B.Sc. in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, and an MBA from the Mona School of Business, equipping her with a strong foundation in both pedagogy and business management. As Scotiabank Jamaica’s CEO, Audrey Tugwell Henry has championed innovation and customer-focused growth. She is known for her passion for women’s empowerment and inclusivity in business. In 2021, she spearheaded the launch of the Scotiabank Women Initiative in Jamaica, a program designed to support women-led enterprises and advance female entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, the bank has also strengthened mentorship networks and talent development programs, reflecting her commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders. Mrs. Tugwell Henry is a member of the International Women’s Forum, aligning with her dedication to elevating women in leadership. Colleagues and industry partners laud her diplomatic yet decisive leadership style, noting that she leads with “diplomacy and grace,” eschewing bravado in favor of quiet effectiveness.
Beyond her corporate role, Mrs. Tugwell Henry contributes significantly to Jamaica’s financial community and national development. In October 2023, she was unanimously elected President of the Jamaica Bankers Association, becoming the chief spokesperson and advocate for the banking industry in national forums. In this capacity, she has emphasized the banking sector’s role as a catalyst for Jamaica’s economic growth, championing principles of financial inclusion, good governance, and innovation. Her peers recognize her as an agent of positive change; under her guidance, the Association aims to drive initiatives that bolster economic development and maintain stability in Jamaica’s financial system.
Mrs. Tugwell Henry is also deeply involved in community development through corporate social responsibility initiatives. She has overseen Scotiabank’s contributions to education and youth empowerment, exemplified by the bank’s CAD$950,000 donation toward the YouthRISE program in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages – a project to uplift at-risk youth in Jamaica through skills training and education. She has personally supported initiatives like Project STAR, which addresses social transformation in Jamaica’s communities. Her advocacy for diversity and mentorship extends to the broader society, where she leverages her influence to encourage inclusion and economic opportunity for underserved groups.
For her exemplary leadership and impact, Audrey Tugwell Henry is being honored with the 2025 Jamaica Independence Gala Business Leadership Award. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions to Jamaica’s financial sector and overall economic growth. A role model in both corporate and community spheres, Mrs. Tugwell Henry exemplifies excellence with humility. Her journey – from a schoolteacher in Montego Bay to the pinnacle of banking – inspires Jamaicans, especially women, to aspire beyond boundaries. In all her roles, she remains committed to building a stronger, more inclusive Jamaican economy and to empowering others through opportunity and mentorship.