As part of our ongoing campaign of introducing you to our roster of dedicated colleagues here at VM Finance, we’re spending a bit of time with our Group President and CEO Courtney Campbell.

With VM Group since 2016, Courtney has been instrumental in helping us broaden our offering and take a confident step forward into the modern VM Group we are today.

Tell us about your role at VM Group

I’m privileged to serve the organisation as Group President and CEO. My role is to provide strategic leadership, aligning our Team around the organisation’s mission, vision, and core values to achieve our ambitious business goals.

Day to day, I lead the Executive Team in driving strategic initiatives such as building a strong, integrated group, empowering our Members globally, and ensuring VM is an employer of choice.

What do you think are the qualities you need to be a good Group President & CEO?

I believe it’s essential to adopt a servant leadership mindset. I serve multiple stakeholders: our Members, Clients, Team, and the wider community. For VM Group, this means delivering world-class service standards, complying with regulatory requirements, and maintaining strong governance in collaboration with our Board of Directors.

To me, great leadership requires:

• Visionary thinking to guide the organisation towards its goals
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster relationships and energise the Team
• Proficiency in and a proactive approach to risk management
• A deep understanding of digital tools to lead digital transformation efforts

Tell us a bit about your journey in the industry and the experiences that led you to your role at VM Group

My career in the financial services industry spans nearly 40 years. I began in 1985 as a management trainee at the National Commercial Bank (NCB) in Jamaica. Over 23 years, I progressed through roles in retail banking, corporate banking, and investment banking, ultimately becoming the general manager of the retail banking division. During my tenure at NCB, I introduced several innovative service delivery models and products that served the bank’s customers and clients well.

After NCB, I served as CEO of GraceKennedy Financial Group, a major Caribbean conglomerate, where I oversaw banking, investments, insurance, and money services. These experiences prepared me for my current role at VM Group, which I took on in 2016.
Since joining, my Team and I have led significant transformations, including:

• Revenue transformation: Diversifying products, services, and business lines
• Digital transformation: Introducing new digital channels and services
• Brand transformation: Redefining the organisation’s image to reflect its evolution beyond a building society
• Organisational restructuring: Ensuring readiness for future growth

What is it that makes VM stand out from the crowd? What makes it special?

Three key aspects set VM Group apart, in my view:

• Financial education: Empowering Members globally to achieve financial well-being through education delivered via podcasts, webinars, newsletters, and community outreach programs. For example, our VM EnRich initiative teaches financial and social enterprise skills to Jamaican schoolchildren

• Real Estate expertise: With 146 years of experience in mortgages, we combine our experience and expertise in wealth management, pensions, and specialised property lending to deliver a complete package to our Members and Clients. This unique blend of competencies positions us as leaders in creating wealth through Real Estate.

• A Member-centric approach: We prioritise strong relationships with our Members and Clients, listening to and responding to their needs. This Modern Mutual ethos underpins everything we do and helps us to provide the personal, caring service we’re known for.

• Relationship management: One of our standout strengths is our dedication to exceptional relationship management. Our Team combines technical expertise with a genuine commitment to building meaningful relationships with Members and Clients. This approach ensures we understand their needs and provide a tailored service that meets our Members’ and Clients’ unique needs.

Outside of work, what’s important to you? What are your hobbies and passions?

I’m actively involved in my church, including lay preaching. Cricket has been a lifelong love—I’ve barely missed a test in Jamaica for decades. I also enjoy reading widely and make it a priority to exercise regularly, alternating between running and gym workouts. Family time is precious to me, and I cherish moments with my wife Pauline and my sons.