Both Sides of The Coin: The Story of The Central Bank of Barbados 1972-2017

Appendix 1: Recollections of Previous Governors 269 ONCE A CENTRAL BANKER Sir Courtney Blackman (Governor 1972-1987) Introduction I was born on the same day on which US President Franklin Roosevelt closed commercial banks in order to stanch a run on deposits. I have often wondered whether or not that was a good omen for a future central banker. In fact, the task of heading the Central Bank of Barbados during its first 15 years has been the defining experience of my professional life. The Vision Realising that a central bank was a unique organisation which we had to get right from the start, I visualised themain elements of the new organisation: 1. In addition to the traditional central banking functions it would serve as a driver for national economic development. 2. It would be knowledge-based and staffed with the brightest and the best Barbadians available, without reference to class, creed or political affiliation. 3. We would provide the necessary conditions to make the Bank “a centre of excellence”. APPENDIX 1 RECOLLECTIONS OF PREVIOUS GOVERNORS