The Harris Group of Companies, one of the Caribbean’s leading manufacturers of architectural finishes, construction and industrial products, has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Ian Kenyon, as the company’s Chief Executive Officer effective March 1, 2009.

“The Harris Board unanimously selected Mr. Kenyon based on his track record of leading complex organisations, as well as his strong executive and personal qualities,” said Robert Jones, Harris’ President. “With Ian joining us, the public and end users of Harris products and services will see more innovative products, improved services, a new focus on the environment and Harris’ corporate citizenship across the region.”

Ralph Johnson, Harris’ Chairman noted that “Mr. Kenyon came to our attention as a result of his strong executive skills, technical ability in the paint industry, his proven ability to lead top performing teams and his track record in customer satisfaction and driving shareholder value. He demonstrated these skills by achieving improved customer service, record sales and profits at ICI Puerto Rico and ICI Canada, which, like Harris, are complex organisations with multiple business segments. As we got to know Mr. Kenyon, we were impressed by his emphasis on developing internal talent while reaching outside for new skills, his understanding of the role of culture in a company’s success and his personal integrity. Additionally, his straightforward style has won the respect of employees, customers and investors. With more than 23 years experience in the international coatings industry combined with experience in the Caribbean, Mr. Kenyon is uniquely qualified to provide strategic direction to position the Harris Group of Companies at the forefront of the paint and industrial coatings industry in the Caribbean.’’

“My goal is to combine my experience in the coatings industry with a passion for product innovations and value-added services, to empower Harris’ skilled teams to create even more opportunities for our customers,” said Mr. Kenyon. “We will build Harris into a world class company which offers its customers world class solutions and offers its employees a spectacular career.”

Most recently, Mr. Kenyon was President and General Manager for the Canadian and Export Division of Latham Splash International, Canada’s largest manufacturer and distributor of recreational water products. Most of Mr. Kenyon’s work experience was gained working in senior leadership positions at ICI Paints, now part of AkzoNobel, the world’s largest Paint and Industrial Coatings Company.

While at ICI Paints, he held a number of key positions in general management, operations, and sales and marketing including ICI Puerto Rico, ICI International Group, ICI Benelux, ICI Paints United Kingdom and ICI Canada.

Mr. Kenyon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Psychology, has completed a number of professional development programmes related to the Painting and Coatings Industry and has also participated in the McKinsey International Project Group. He will be based in Barbados, working and providing leadership throughout the region where Harris and B-H Paints operate.

Harris Paints is a privately owned regional company which manufactures, retails and distributes a range of products for commercial, residential and industrial use and provides service solutions for these products.

Harris is a licensee for AkzoNobel (the largest paint company globally), owners of the world famous Glidden brand and services 15 countries throughout the Caribbean from operations in Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Guyana and Jamaica. The Group employs just under 300 staff region-wide who each play a vital role in providing first class products and services to its customers.