About Us
The Jamaican Diaspora Has Stepped Up To Help Achieve Vision 2030
Veranda Connect Ltd is a proud alliance of Jamaicans and members of the Jamaican Diaspora from the UK, USA and Namibia, Africa, united by a shared vision for Jamaica's future. Our mission is rooted in patriotism, aiming to contribute to Jamaica's development and prosperity.
As outlined in Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan, Jamaica is on a path to achieve developed country status by 2030. One of the strategic priorities is the Energy Sector Plan, aimed at reducing dependence on imported petroleum and creating a modern, efficient, and sustainable energy sector.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has set an ambitious target for renewable energy use, aiming for 50% of electricity generation from renewables by 2030. This aligns with our commitment to offer superior, innovative renewable energy solutions like solar, and other emerging transformational renewable technologies, and water solutions for green, sustainable living in the Caribbean and Africa.
Veranda Connect stands against substandard products and malfunctioning systems, offering transformative solutions to reshape the energy and water landscape of the Caribbean and Africa.
As Jamaica is our launchpad to the rest of the Caribbean and Africa, we are dedicated to providing reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions to help Jamaica achieve its vision of being the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business.
Board of Directors
Dr Pearl Jarrett - Chief Executive Officer (UK)
Dr. Pearl Jarrett, multi award-winning Disruptive Changemaker, is the Founder and CEO of The Jarrett Foundation and Veranda Connect Ltd. Winning 5 Awards in 2023 alone, three of which were for making a global impact, one was from the Gleaner Honours Award in the Tech category for services to Jamaica. She's a force in philanthropy and innovation. Pearl collaborates at the highest government levels in Jamaica. She has donated over US$634k in furniture and resources to schools and provided 2 million face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic worth £620k (US$787k), which were distributed free of charge.
In the UK she advises No 10 Downing Street and New Scotland Yard and she’s initiated impactful anti knife crime youth programs. Pearl is also an Actor, so as an entrepreneur, she brings that creative, out of the box thinking. She’s passionate about utilising the latest innovations in renewable technologies, ensuring that companies are future proofed.
Dr Errord Jarrett - Chief Marketing Officer (UK)
Dr. Errord Jarrett, an accomplished leader in healthcare and business, seamlessly transitioned from a seasoned Clinical Radiographer to the Chief Marketing Officer of Veranda Connect Ltd. With a background in Radiological Sciences and an MBA, he leverages his diverse skill set to drive the renewable energy and technology company to new heights. Dr. Jarrett's strategic vision, honed through years in the medical device industry, positions him as a forward-thinking executive.
Beyond his professional achievements, he is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, a School Governor, and an active member of The Jarrett Foundation, showcasing his unwavering commitment to education and community development.
Ambassador Seth Ramocan - Chief Development Director (Jamaica)
Ambassador Seth George Ramocan, former Jamaican High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Consul General to Toronto, is a seasoned leader with a rich public service background. A former Senator and Parish Councillor, he served as Vice Chairman of the HEART Trust National Training Agency and held key roles in organisations such as the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation and Tivoli Gardens High School.
As an accomplished entrepreneur, Ambassador Ramocan founded Jamaica's first consumer discount card and co-authored the Caribbean's inaugural teacher's lesson plan book. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a Family Counsellor, Pastor, and an inspiring motivational speaker. Holding a diverse array of academic credentials, including a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Stacy Bell - Chief Operations Officer (USA)
Stacy earned her Bachelor's degree in Business & Economics from Cornell College, followed by a Master of Business Administration and a Masters in Project Management from Devry University. With a solid foundation in finance, she dedicated 15 years to the financial profession before making a strategic shift to Project Management.
Over the past 12+ years, Stacy has excelled as a Program and Project Manager across diverse industries such as finance, health, hospitality, and technology. Her expertise extends to the corporate level, where she made significant contributions to renowned hospitality groups including: Sandals Resorts International, Super Clubs, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), and Hilton.
Operational Partner Team
Luvin Scarlett - Managing Director, QSHEM Energy Limited (Jamaica)
Luvin Scarlett, Managing Director of QSHEM Energy Limited (Jamaica) and QSHEM International Limited (Grand Cayman), brings over 15 years of expertise in Risk Management, Environmental, and Occupational Health and Safety. With a distinguished career spanning companies like Red Stripe, J Wray and Nephew and Half Moon Hotel, he is a standout Health and Safety Consultant in the Caribbean.
Luvin holds international certifications from the Canadian Society for Safety Engineering, specialising in areas such as Indoor Air Quality, Fall Protection, and Risk Management. A member of prestigious organizations like ICOH and NFPA, he has earned awards for Safety, Health, and Environmental Processes from the University of New Brunswick.
David Jartett -Group Chief Executive Officer, RDJ Group (Namibia)
Renewable energy visionary David Jarrett, as part of the Jamaican diaspora, boasts 25+ years of expertise in the Utility industry, leading projects for the European Union, United Nations, Green Climate Fund (GCF), and Adaptation Fund (AF).
Holding qualifications in Power Engineering, Law, Project Management, and Strategic Management, David Jarrett focuses on rural electrification and service delivery. As a seasoned lecturer at the University of Namibia, he imparts knowledge in Energy Economics, Project Finance, and Management. With a remarkable track record as the Country Coordinator for the Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme in Namibia, David now advises global entities, including Power Africa and The World Bank, steering impactful projects in renewable energy and utility enhancement.
Elizabeth Mullings-Smith, Managing Director, Maya Blue (UK)
Elizabeth, a seasoned Environment Management Consultant, boasts three decades of global experience in infrastructure projects, specialising in environmental management, water resources, sustainable development, and climate resilience, with a focus on small island developing states (SIDS). Armed with an MSc in Hydrogeology and BSc (Hons) in Geology & Marine Sciences, she progressed from a graduate hydrogeologist to a technical director at a top international engineering firm.
In 2010, Elizabeth founded a UK company dedicated to shaping sustainable project opportunities worldwide. A diversity advocate in environmental sciences, she actively engages in community environmental stewardship and served as a post-disaster emergency response environment advisor in Barbuda, Haiti, and Montserrat.
Technical Partner Team
Santiago Prieto, Founder and CEO - Grid Electric Solutions (Venezuela)
Santiago Prieto, founder, and CEO of Grid Electrical Solutions, boasts over 27 years of expertise in electrical engineering, procurement, construction, and business development. With a career spanning Fortune 500 companies like Pepsi Co, Rockwell Automation, and General Electric, Santiago excelled in diverse industries. In 2012, foreseeing shifts in the energy sector, he founded Grid Electrical Solutions, dedicated to innovative transformations.
After rising to CEO in 2018, he left Energy Electrical Integrators to focus entirely on his company. In 2020, Santiago successfully deployed his first Solar Microgrid project in Curacao, generating 1,700,000 kWh annually, and remains committed to advancing Microgrids and renewable energy in the Caribbean markets.
Fernando Prieto Ochoa - General Manager & COO - Grid Electrical Solutions (Venezuela)
Fernando Prieto Ochoa, General Manager and COO of Grid Electrical Solutions, leverages over 20 years of diverse business executive experience, primarily in telecommunications. His expertise spans analytics, finance, operations, project management, product development, strategy, and leadership. Throughout his career, Fernando has excelled in leading teams for innovative product ideation, development, and deployment, contributing to revenue growth and customer satisfaction.
Having previously managed significant budgets for IPTV network expansion and built key relationships with major corporations, Fernando joined Grid Electrical Solutions in 2020, playing a pivotal role in the company's strategic expansion and revenue growth initiatives.
Daniel Colina - Executive Director Engineering - Grid Electric Solutions (Venezuela)