The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) has appointed Vincentian financial executive Stewart Haynes as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026, as the regional institution prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary later this year.
Haynes succeeds long-serving CEO Trevor Blake, whose leadership over more than two decades helped shape the growth and development of the Eastern Caribbean’s capital markets.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for both the ECSE and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as a Vincentian takes the helm of one of the region’s most important financial institutions.
Before his appointment, Haynes served for nine years as Director of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Insurance Services (NIS), where he provided strategic leadership and oversight of the country’s social security institution.
Widely respected within regional financial circles, Haynes brings extensive experience in investment management, governance, risk management and institutional leadership. He currently serves on the boards of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the East Caribbean Financial Holding Company (ECFH) and the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank (ECHMB).
Haynes possesses an impressive academic and professional background. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Master of Science degree in Actuarial Management with a specialization in Investment Management from CASS Business School in London.
He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (FIA), and an Accredited Director through the Directors Education and Accreditation Programme (DEAP), jointly offered by the ECSE and the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada.
Commenting on his appointment, Haynes said he was honoured by the confidence placed in him by the ECSE Board and expressed his commitment to building upon the strong foundation established by the institution over the past 24 years.
“I am honoured to join the ECSE and to build upon the strong foundation established over the past 24 plus years,” Haynes said. He added that he looks forward to working closely with regulators, market participants and stakeholders throughout the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union to advance the ECSE’s vision of a trusted, digital and inclusive capital market.
The ECSE, headquartered in St. Kitts and Nevis, serves as the primary securities market for the eight-member Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and plays a critical role in facilitating investment, wealth creation and capital formation throughout the sub-region.
As the exchange approaches its silver anniversary on October 19, 2026, officials say Haynes’ appointment reflects the institution’s continued commitment to innovation, market development and regional economic advancement.
Under his leadership, the ECSE is expected to continue pursuing strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening regional financial markets and expanding opportunities for investors and businesses across the Eastern Caribbean.