Sygnus Foundation débuts with $16-m roof repair at Barbary Hall Primary
Students of Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School share a moment with members of the Sygnus team during the official launch of the Sygnus Foundation and handover ceremony to mark the completion of the school’s $16-million roof restoration project.
MARKING a major milestone in its 10th year of operation, Sygnus Group has officially launched the Sygnus Foundation while commemorating the completion of a $16-million roof restoration project at Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth.
This forms part of the company’s commitment to supporting Jamaica’s recovery and resilience following Hurricane Melissa.
The milestone was commemorated during a special plaque handover ceremony attended by Berisford Grey, president and CEO of Sygnus; Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and Floyd Green; Elizabeth James, vice-president and head of wealth and client strategy at Sygnus; and Danielle Drummond, donor projects coordinator at the National Education Trust (NET).
The investment funded the restoration of the school’s roof, helping to create a safer and more secure environment for teaching and learning.
The completed work has enabled students to return to their classrooms for the first time since Hurricane Melissa impacted the institution in October 2025.
Leading by example, during the official launch of the Sygnus Foundation, president and CEO of Sygnus Capital Berisford Grey helps kick off playground improvement activities at Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School by adding a fresh coat of paint to the monkey bars.
As part of the day’s activities, Sygnus team members also helped to repaint the school’s playground, bringing new colour and life back into a space. The repainting formed part of the wider effort to refresh and restore the school environment.
The Sygnus CEO said the project represents the latest phase of Sygnus’s Hurricane Rebuild Initiative, launched in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
He noted that with support from several local, regional and international partners, including significant contributions from Bahamas Striping Company and CrossBoundary, the initiative was designed to move beyond emergency relief and invest in the long-term recovery of communities impacted by the storm.
According to Grey the launch of the foundation reflects the company’s desire to create sustainable impact beyond its business operations.
He said the Sygnus Foundation is an initiative that reflects the values that have guided the company’s journey from the beginning — partnership, purpose and nation-building.
“Following Hurricane Melissa we committed not only to helping communities recover, but to supporting their long-term rebuilding and resilience. Today, as we stand at Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School and see students once again learning in restored classrooms, we are witnessing the fulfilment of that promise,” said Grey
Anadeen Nembhard, vice-president and head of people, culture and talent management at Sygnus Capital, shares a conversation with students of Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School during the foundation’s inaugural community engagement activity.
“This marks not just a milestone for Sygnus, but the beginning of a deeper and more structured approach to social impact across Jamaica,” added Grey.
He pointed out that the launch of the foundation comes during Sygnus’s 10th anniversary month, and signals a strategic expansion of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts through a dedicated platform focused on creating meaningful and lasting change in communities across Jamaica.
In the meantime, Green commended the partnership and the focus on rebuilding educational infrastructure.
“I want to thank the company for its strong corporate social responsibility and for stepping forward at such a critical time to help our communities and to help our children,” said Green.
“I can’t think of a better way to mark 10 years of innovation, 10 years of creativity, and 10 years of growth than to contribute to a fine educational institution like Barbary Hall. I think this is a brilliant way to start the work of your foundation. It already signals what you are about — driving development; driving growth; helping rural communities to do well; and also stepping forward in times of crisis to ensure that the Government, community, and private sector can work together to shorten the time that we take to recover from these disastrous affairs.
Elizabeth James (right), vice-president and head of wealth and client strategy at Sygnus Capital, presents a commemorative plaque to Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School Principal Mariann Chambers-Smith during the launch of the Sygnus Foundation.
“Schools are the heartbeat of rural communities, and the outcomes of our children are really based on the strength of the educational institution. Barbary Hall has trained some of the best and brightest across the world, so you are allowing some of the best and brightest to flourish,” added Green.
Acting Principal Mariann Chambers-Smith welcomed the support, noting that the investment will have a transformative impact on the school and its students.
“It is with deep gratitude and a sense of renewed hope that we, the Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School, extend heartfelt thanks to the Sygnus Foundation for its generous support in re-roofing our primary department,” said Chambers-Smith
“Of course, our children this week were privileged to go into their classrooms for the first time after Hurricane Melissa. Because of your support and partnership our students and teachers now have a place of safety and security — and teaching and learning can continue.
“You have not only repaired our roof, but you have also helped us to rebuild our confidence and a sense of stability within our school community. Your contribution will have a lasting impact on this institution,” Chambers-Smith added.
