Dr Dodridge D. Miller appointed as The UWI’s 7th Chancellor
Media Release — The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is pleased to announce that The Most Honourable Dodridge D. Miller, FB, FCCA, MBA, LL.M, LLD (Hon) has been appointed as its 7th Chancellor—the highest officeholder in The UWI system. Now formally Chancellor-Designate, Dr Miller is expected to serve a seven-year term beginning August 1, 2024. He will succeed Robert Bermudez, who has served as Chancellor since 2017.
At its virtual annual business meeting held on Friday, April 26, members of the University Council accepted the recommendation of the Chancellor’s Search Committee to appoint Dr Miller. As the sole authority that has the power to make decisions related to the leadership of our regional institution, the University Council is responsible for appointing the new Chancellor in accordance with established statutes and processes outlined in the University’s Statute 4.
Dr Miller, a graduate of The UWI, is a Caribbean luminary with over 30 years of leadership experience in the banking, insurance, and financial services sectors. He was the Group President and CEO of Sagicor Financial Company for more than two decades until he retired in March 2023.
Dr Miller is globally recognised as the chief architect of Sagicor Financial, the largest financial services conglomerate in the region. He is credited with transforming the old Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society into the Sagicor Caribbean group and, with strategic USA and Canadian investments, into the global corporation it is today. As a determined regionalist, he expanded Sagicor’s operations in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and the Bahamas and created a pan-Caribbean identity.
Dr Miller is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). He holds an MBA from the University of Wales and the Manchester Business School and an LL.M. in Corporate and Commercial Law from The UWI, where he also served as a Cave Hill Campus Council member.
In his distinguished career, he has received several prestigious honours, including the Order of Freedom of Barbados (FB). From The UWI, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2008 and the title of Professor of Practice award in 2019.
Upon confirming his appointment, Dr Miller responded, “It is with great humility that I accept your appointment as Chancellor of this distinguished and important University. I have advocated for a strong, vibrant UWI for most of my adult life. As a corporate executive, I demonstrated my support for your mission. I remained committed to the certainty of your path as you sought to build the capacity of the region’s human capital. As Chancellor, I will strive to uphold the strong principles and values of the University, and with your guidance and support, I hope to contribute to the very important task of fashioning a sustainable Caribbean that can engage the rest of the world on equal terms. I look forward to being a part of The UWI’s journey towards the continued development of our region. I am honoured.”
Chancellor Bermudez congratulated, “I am delighted to welcome Dr Miller as Chancellor-Designate. I believe that the University will benefit from his experience and contribution.”
Offering further details on the process, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, who chaired the Search Committee that recommended Dr Miller for the post, noted, “Dr the Most Honourable Dodridge Miller is an eminent corporate transformational leader who possesses all the required skills to make an outstanding Chancellor to his alma mater. The University community that knows him well looks forward to working with him in this new role.”
Chancellor Bermudez delivered the opening remarks at the Council Meeting to commence the proceedings. University Registrar Dr. Maurice D. Smith then paid tribute to Robert Bermudez for his outstanding leadership.
The University of the West Indies community deeply appreciates Mr Bermudez for his distinguished service.