Retiring General Manager of Carimar Beach Club at Meads Bay, Anguilla, Mr. Fred Thompson, has been the recipient of many accolades from industry partners for his contribution to tourism and, in some cases, for mentoring them. The story is that he is proceeding on retirement, but his industry colleagues have told him they still need him around to assist them.
He was particularly commended for his successful management of Carimar for 23 years and the useful advice he imparted to several colleagues during that period. Prior to his service in Anguilla, he served for 15 years at Prospect Reef Resort in Road Town, Tortola, and when he moved to Anguilla he became a helpful friend of a number of less-experienced persons in the hospitality business.
Mr. Thompson was lauded for his outstanding contribution at a farewell dinner and presentation ceremony held in his honour on Saturday, September 19, at Ultimacy Villa. The luxury retreat, nestled on the Sea Rocks between Shoal Bay and Island Harbour, is owned by Dr. and Mrs. Frankie Hughes of Paradise Cove. There, Mrs. Sherrille Hughes, a past President of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, gave the welcome remarks and set the tone for others who, like herself, benefitted from Mr. Thompson’s guidance and assistance.
“I wish to express my appreciation to Fred for what he has done for the hospitality industry on a whole,” she began. “When you combine his years in the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, he has contributed almost 40 years to the development of tourism.”
Mrs Hughes spoke about the assistance she received from him and Carimar in the formative years of Paradise Cove, the mentoring he gave her and the experience and confidence she gained during promotional trips with him in the international marketplace. “He was the one who held my hand at my first presentation and told me: remember your product; take your unique selling points and build on them. That is basically part of my development in tourism so I have a lot to thank Fred for,” she acknowledged.
Mr. Delroy Lake, President of the Hotel and Tourism Association, recalled having worked for 14 years at Carimar as Assistant Manager under Mr. Thompson’s guidance. “The person you see here, before you, is a product of what Fred basically moulded,” he admitted. “As a young guy entering management, I was frustrated on many occasions…but Mr. Thompson would calm me down and give me a different perspective and a way of doing things.”
Lake credited Thompson for his calm and reflective demeanour, for being a voice of reason and for assisting him in reachi
ng where he is today. He is the Manager at Anacaona Boutique Hotel, one of Carimar’s next-door neighbours.
Various other hoteliers and industry partners, who worked closely with Mr. Thompson, joined in commending him for his work and ready cooperation. They included Mr. Eustace Guishard, former Manager at Cap Juluca; Mr. Chris Richardson, Executive Assistant Manager at CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa; Dr. Frankie Hughes; Ms. Donna Banks, Chairperson of the Anguilla Tourist Board; and Mr. Stefano De Paoli, the Anguilla Tourist Board’s Marketing Representative in Italy who recalled his years of working with Thompson and on behalf of Carimar.
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Anguilla’s Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, spoke on behalf of the Government of Anguilla and called for a standing ovation for Mr. Thompson. “Someone like Fred is an inspiration to all of us, having served as one of Anguilla’s Hotel General Managers,” he said. Connor spoke about his own return to Anguilla 24 years ago from County Cricket in England and the task he was given to revive and promote cricket on the island. He was pleased to report that Mr. Thompson had been particularly helpful to him in fundraising towards the development of cricket and, only a few years ago, had assisted him with the introduction and funding of the pioneers of boatracing annual event. “People like Fred should not be allowed retirement,” he quipped. “Sorry, Fred, you can move on to something else, but you can’t leave us.” In that statement, Connor had echoed the sentiments expressed by Thompson’s colleagues.
The Parliamentary Secretary expressed pleasure in having Mr. Thompson as a member of the Anguilla Tourist Board which is benefitting from his vast experience.
Replying, Thompson said: “It has been a good journey – a very satisfying journey. With 23 years at Carimar and another 15 at Prospect Reef Resort in Tortola – from security to General Manager – I think is a story to tell. I am very proud of that. I could not have done it without the support of a lot of people here and who are not here.”
He appreciated the gratitude of those who acknowledged his assistance and who in turn supported him. “I am happy to know that I really stood on your shoulders because you made Carimar and me proud,” he observed. “We were able to build a fantastic team over the years and I hope very much that it continues.” He was particularly proud of Mr. Delroy Lake whom he said had come a long way in his personal development. Thompson offered his thanks and appreciation to the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association and the Anguilla Tourist Board – both of which he will continue to support – and the various Tourism Marketing Representatives who were also at his farewell function.
Thompson was presented with a plaque, designed from a piece of Anguilla rock, on behalf of the Hotel and Tourism Association and the Tourist Board. He also received other gifts from several industry partners.
