Death of Vincentian visionary an enormous loss to region

The late Sir Kenneth Dwight Venner, a former Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), has been described as a visionary, whose death is an enormous loss to the region.

In a tribute to the late Governor, Sir Errol Allen, who worked as Venner’s deputy at the ECCB from 1989 to 2015 said: “[His death] has left a void that may not easily be filled by any single individual. This is the enormity of the region’s loss. He was a visionary, always fully engaged and with a tremendous capacity to work around the clock whenever he thought it necessary.”

Venner died on Thursday, December 22, at the age of 70 at the Tapion Hospital in St Lucia, after complaining about a severe pain in his leg.

An economist by training, Venner served as Governor of the ECCB from December 1989 to November 2015. He was the longest serving governor of any central bank, monetary authority, or federal reserve in the world.

Prior to that, Venner served in the position of Director of Finance and Planning in the St Lucian Government, between November 1981 and November 1989.

He was educated at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, where he obtained both a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Economics. He served as a Junior Research Fellow at the Institute of Social and Economic Research at The University of the West Indies and then as a Lecturer in Economics from 1974 to 1981.

Venner was born in St Vincent in 1946 to Vincentian parents Cecie Venner née Jacobs of Kingstown and Noel Venner of Georgetown, St Vincent. Dwight was the first of five boys born to the couple, the others, in chronological order being Kaeron, Jeffrey, Joffre and John.

Dwight’s father was a regional civil servant, so Dwight and his brothers grew up as regionalists, having lived in different Caribbean islands during their youth.

A first cousin of Dwight’s told SEARCHLIGHT that in her opinion, the late Governor enjoyed every minute of his life.

“He lived a fantastic life and he enjoyed every minute of it, whether it was teaching Economcs at Mona, working for the Central Bank in St Kitts or just being a father and mentor to his children,” said Kenlyn Jacobs Alves, who said Dwight was more like a brother to her than a cousin.

Alves said her cousin was looking forward to writing his memoirs and enjoying a new, large library he had built at this home to house his large collection of books, paintings, miniature boats and crystals.

“It is really unfortunate that his demise came so soon, but the Lord knows best. But I would say that he enjoyed every bit of those 70 years. He once told me he was never going to retire,” said Alves.

Venner was married to St Lucian national, Lynda Arnolde Winville Venner née St Rose, with whom he had seven children – six girls and one boy.

He had written and published extensively in the areas of Monetary and International Economics, Central Banking, Public Finance, Economic Development, Political Economy and International Economic Relations.

At the time of his death, Venner was a member of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network, and a member of the Commission for Growth and Development, World Bank. He was also Chair of the OECS Economic Union Task Force Committee, and The UWI Open Campus Council.

In June 2001, he was awarded Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in St Vincent and the Grenadines for services to the financial sector.

His hobbies included cricket, racquet ball, netball, pistol shooting, hiking, jogging, music, reading, collecting paintings, crystals, miniature boats and coins, travel and photography.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on January 4 2017, at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries, St Lucia.

The Government of St Lucia has advised that Sir Dwight will be accorded an official funeral where the members of the ECCB Monetary Council, Board of Directors and Executive Committee will be in attendance.