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New programme will provide back-to-school vouchers to students across Trinidad and Tobago

COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago – Thursday 27th August 2026 – Five hundred students across Trinidad and Tobago will receive support with textbooks, uniforms and other essential school supplies through Classroom Ready, a new TT$500,000 back-to-school programme launched by the Massy Foundation (Trinidad and Tobago).

Each student will receive a voucher valued at TT$1,000, helping families meet some of the costs associated with preparing children for the new academic year.

The programme was officially launched at Massy Gas Products in Point Lisas, where principals from participating schools in Trinidad accepted vouchers on behalf of their students. A separate presentation will take place in Tobago before the start of the school year.

Schools were selected through an assessment that considered the level of financial and social need within their communities, geographic location and access to existing corporate support. The participating schools will identify students who would benefit most from the assistance.

Mr David Affonso Chairman of the Massy Foundation said the programme reflects Massy’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people and supporting the communities in which it operates.

“The start of a new school year should be a time of excitement and possibility for every child. For many families, however, the cost of textbooks, uniforms and other supplies can bring considerable pressure.

“Through Classroom Ready, we are helping 500 students begin the school year with the essential materials they need to participate fully and approach their education with greater confidence. Supporting education is an investment in our children, our communities and the future of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Mr Affonso said Classroom Ready also forms part of Massy’s broader commitment to education and youth development across the Caribbean. Other Massy businesses are supporting back-to-school activities in their respective communities, including initiatives in Guyana, St Lucia and Jamaica.

Delivering remarks at the event, Mrs Nadia McCarthy, Massy Group Senior Vice President, People & Culture, said the programme was developed to direct support to schools and families where it can make a meaningful difference.

“Access to education is more than having a place in a classroom, it is a young person, who also needs the tools, support and environment that allows them to participate fully once they get there. We worked closely with educators and community stakeholders to understand where the need was greatest. School principals know their communities and are well placed to ensure that this support reaches students who need it most.”

“This first year will also help us learn from the schools, students and families involved so that we can strengthen the programme and extend its impact over time.”

Ms Marieanna Gervais, Principal of Todd’s Road RC School, welcomed the initiative and the practical assistance it will provide.

“For some families, preparing a child for school requires difficult financial choices. This support will ease part of that burden and help students begin the term with the supplies they need. We are grateful to the Massy Foundation for listening to our schools and investing directly in our children.”

Participating schools include:

Trinidad

• Point Fortin East Secondary School
• Claxton Bay Senior Anglican Primary School
• Todd’s Road RC Primary School
• Moruga Secondary School
• Maracas RC Primary School
• Mayaro Secondary School
• Arima West Government Primary School
• St. Anthony’s RC Primary School

Tobago

• Goodwood Secondary School
• Roxborough Secondary School

The Massy Foundation intends to develop Classroom Ready into an annual programme, using the experience and feedback from its pilot year to deepen its impact and reach more students in the future.

Massy Stores Reopening of BDS$46 Million Supermarket in Worthing, Barbados

Redeveloped flagship store strengthens affordability, enhances the customer experience and reinforces Massy’s long-term commitment to Barbados.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados | August 11, 2026 – On August 10, the Massy Group officially reopened its redeveloped Massy Stores Supermarket in Worthing, Barbados following a BDS$46 million investment. The unveiling of the newly modernised store also comes with an expansion of its affordability programme to make everyday shopping more affordable for Barbadian families.

As part of the reopening, Massy Stores Barbados increased the number of everyday essential products offered in Barbados at reduced prices from 200 to 300 items. The new prices are expected to be reflected on the shelves in Barbados by Monday 17 August 2026.

The redevelopment of Massy Stores Supermarket in Worthing forms part of Massy’s long-term investment strategy for Barbados and the wider Caribbean, modernising retail infrastructure, strengthening local supply chains and supporting economic growth through sustained private-sector investment.

Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, delivered the feature address, recognising the important role of continued private-sector partnerships in advancing Barbados’ growth and development. Other speakers included the Massy Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer James McLetchie and Jared Wright, Senior Vice President and Country Head of Massy Barbados.

In her remarks, Prime Minister Mottley applauded Massy for being transparent with pricing, through the Ask Dealia app. She welcomed the Group’s decision to expand the number of everyday items sold at reduced mark-ups to 300, recognising the initiative as practical support for households managing the cost of living.

She also echoed McLetchie’s emphasis on working together to enhance Caribbean food security and exports, with the intent of building on the Group’s supply chain and logistics capabilities to sell more Caribbean-made goods globally.

The Massy Stores Supermarket Worthing redevelopment is being completed in two phases.

Phase One introduces a best-in-class supermarket offering expanded product ranges, greater convenience and an enhanced shopping experience for Barbadians and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who choose Barbados each year. Phase Two will significantly expand parking facilities following the planned demolition of the original building.

McLetchie said the investment reflects the Group’s enduring confidence in Barbados and the Caribbean.

“We are making this investment because we believe in Barbados and in the future of the Caribbean. This is about building a stronger business that can better serve our customers, create opportunities for our people and continue supporting the communities we serve.”

McLetchie continued: “Every investment we make should have a positive impact beyond our business. Whether it’s creating jobs, working with local interests or delivering better value for customers, it’s all part of building a stronger future and creating lasting impact generation after generation.”

Massy’s roots in Barbados date back to Barbados Shipping & Trading (BS&T), founded in 1917 and later incorporated into the Massy Group. For more than a century, the company has invested in the country’s development, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and serving generations of Barbadians.

Today, Massy employs approximately 1,600 people in Barbados, making it one of the country’s largest private-sector employers. Over the past four years, Massy Stores Barbados has bought over BDS $60 million in local produce to support Barbadian farmers, strengthen local agriculture, and provide customers with fresh, locally grown products.

Jared Wright, Senior Vice President and Country Head of Massy Barbados, said the redevelopment demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering what customers value most.

“The Worthing store has served generations of Barbadians, and this investment ensures it will continue serving the community for many years to come. Our customers told us they wanted greater convenience, more choice and better value, and we have responded by creating a shopping experience designed around those expectations”

Wright added: “At a time when many families are carefully managing household budgets, improving affordability remains a priority. Expanding our reduced-price programme from 200 to 300 everyday essentials is one of several practical steps we are taking to deliver meaningful value while continuing to offer the quality, variety and service our customers expect.“

The Worthing Supermarket redevelopment is one of several strategic investments Massy is making across the Caribbean.

In June, the Group broke ground on its landmark mixed-use development in Houston, Guyana, reinforcing its long-term confidence in the region and its commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunity through responsible investment.

Across every market in which it operates, Massy continues to invest in infrastructure, resilient supply chains and customer-focused innovation that strengthen businesses, improve customer experiences and create lasting value for the communities it serves.

Together, these investments reflect the Group’s belief that the Caribbean’s future will be shaped by long-term partnerships, responsible investment and shared prosperity.

New development will include a 190,000-square-foot Massy Distribution warehouse and expanded Massy Motors dealership.

From Left: Robert Riley, Chairman, Massy Group; Troy Beharry, Chairman & Country Manager, Massy Guyana; Ambikah Mongroo, Executive Vice President, Integrated Retail Portfolio, Massy Group; The Honourable Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Guyana; James McLetchie, Massy Group President and Chief Executive Officer; David Dharamraj, Vice President, COO & CFO, Integrated Retail Portfolio, Massy Guyana, Tisha Maharaj-Govia, Vice President, Property Development & Environmental, Social and Governance, Integrated Retail Portfolio, Massy Group; Rohit Coonjah, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Massy Motors Guyana.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Thursday 25th June 2026 – Massy Guyana today broke ground on the Massy Hub at Houston, a major new development that will bring together expanded distribution, automotive sales, service and support operations on one site.

The development will include Massy Distribution Guyana’s new state-of-the-art warehouse, a major milestone in the company’s commitment to building world-class supply chain capabilities and supporting Guyana’s continued economic growth. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the 190,000-square-foot facility will serve as the flagship distribution centre for Massy Distribution Guyana. It will feature 15 container receiving bays, 28 dispatch bays, dedicated temperature-controlled storage, modern office facilities, and warehouse automation technology.

The Massy Motors component of the Hub will include four vehicle showrooms and a 9,000-square-foot administration building. The automotive service facilities will include multiple service bays, with additional capacity for larger vehicles such as delivery trucks, tractors, and other industrial vehicles. The site will also house a body shop for vehicle repairs, a parts warehouse with a dedicated parts-sales area, and a separate tyre, battery, and lubricant warehouse.

“The Massy Hub at Houston is designed to enhance operational efficiency, inventory management and customer service,” said Troy Beharry, Chairman & Country Manager, Massy Guyana. “This investment will position Massy to meet future market demand while setting a new benchmark for warehousing, distribution and automotive service excellence in Guyana.”

James McLetchie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Massy Group, said the development reflects the company’s enduring commitment to Guyana and its people.

He stated: “For Massy, Guyana is not a market we are entering; it is a country we have been proud to grow alongside for almost 60 years. We’ve always believed that lasting success comes from investing in people, building local capability, and creating opportunities that remain long after any single project is complete. That’s what today’s investment represents.

As Guyana continues its remarkable transformation, one of the country’s greatest opportunities is to develop the skills, expertise and technologies that will power the next phase of growth.

This development will help equip our teams with new capabilities, provide training in advanced technologies and modern operating practices, and create opportunities for Guyanese professionals to build rewarding careers at home.”

McLetchie continued: “We see our role as more than delivering services. It is about helping to strengthen local businesses, supporting more resilient supply chains, creating meaningful employment, and contributing to a stronger, more diversified economy. We also see this as part of the role we can play in supporting Guyana’s food security ambitions by building the capabilities, infrastructure and the partnerships needed to move food more efficiently, reduce waste and strengthen the resilience of the agricultural value chain. Guyana’s future will be built not only through investment in infrastructure, but through investment in its people. We are proud to play our part in that journey.”

Participating in the ceremonial turning of the sod were The Honourable Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation; The Honourable Peter R. Ramsaroop, M.P., Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head, Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest); Robert Riley, Chairman, Massy Group; James McLetchie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Massy Group; Troy Beharry, Chairman & Country Manager, Massy Guyana; Ambikah Mongroo, Executive Vice President, Integrated Retail Portfolio; Ryan Latchu, Executive Vice President, Motors and Machinery Portfolio; David Dharamraj, Vice President, COO & CFO, Integrated Retail Portfolio, Massy Guyana and Rohit Coonjah, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Massy Motors Guyana.

The Massy Group is pleased to partner with the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago’s (AMCHAM T&T) as the Title Sponsor of the Tech Hub Islands Summit (T.H.I.S.) 2026, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing innovation, digital transformation, and regional competitiveness.

Now in its eighth year, T.H.I.S. has established itself as the Caribbean’s premier technology and innovation conference, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, technology experts, and innovators to explore the trends and technologies shaping the future of the region.

This year’s summit will take place on June 30 – July 1, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad under the theme “IMPACT.” The theme reflects a shift from discussing the potential of technology to focusing on implementation, measurable outcomes, and the creation of lasting value for businesses, governments, and societies.

As one of the Caribbean’s largest and most diversified corporations, Massy Group’s partnership as Title Sponsor underscores the growing recognition that technology is no longer confined to the technology sector alone – it is a critical driver of growth, efficiency, and competitiveness across every industry.

Commenting on the partnership, Nadia McCarthy, Senior Vice President Group People and Culture of The Massy Group stated: “As a regional organization operating across multiple markets and sectors, we continue to invest in digital capabilities that empower our people and give them more control around their professional development and careers, improve efficiency, strengthen customer experiences, and create long-term value. We have demonstrated this commitment through our partnership with OpenAI that gives every employee access to ChatGPT’s tools and our deployment of Workday throughout the business”.

James McLetchie, President & Group CEO of The Massy Group., said: ” We at Massy believe that technology is changing the rules of competition. Companies no longer need to be the biggest to win – they need to be the fastest learners, the most responsive and the best users of data for impact. For businesses across our region, this creates an opportunity to compete and succeed on a much larger scale.” McLetchie continued:  “T.H.I.S. provides an important platform for sharing knowledge, learning from global leaders, and engaging in meaningful conversations about how technology can drive sustainable growth and transformation across the Caribbean. We are happy to partner with AMCHAM T&T as Title Sponsor of this important initiative.”

Meanwhile, Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T, welcomed the partnership, noting that it reflects the evolving role technology plays in every business sector. “We are delighted to welcome Massy Group as the Title Sponsor of T.H.I.S. 2026. This partnership sends a powerful message that every business today is a technology business. Whether you operate in manufacturing, retail, finance, logistics, energy, or professional services, technology is transforming how organizations compete, innovate, and grow. We believe this partnership has tremendous potential, and we look forward to working closely with Massy to further strengthen and expand the impact of T.H.I.S. in the years ahead.” Tewarie also added that Massy’s involvement demonstrates the importance of collaboration between business leaders, technology experts, and policymakers in shaping a more innovative and competitive regional economy.

T.H.I.S. 2026 will feature an impressive lineup of regional and international speakers representing some of the world’s most recognized organizations, including Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), PwC UK, Massy Group, Shell,Digicel, Citi, Fortinet, Fujitsu and other leading companies and institutions at the forefront of technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, digital transformation, innovation, and data governance.

Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, technology showcases, and networking opportunities, T.H.I.S. 2026 will provide participants with practical insights and strategies for leveraging technology to create measurable impact within their organizations and industries.

AMCHAM T&T invites business leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, and technology enthusiasts to join the conversation and be part of shaping the Caribbean’s digital future.

Interested companies and individuals can REGISTER today via the following link: https://www.techislands.net/this-2026.