Written by Dale Carnegie Elliott
“Be like water.
Flow. Transform. Adapt.”
It was more than a theme. It was a reflection of the economic moment.
After a five-year hiatus, the Saint Lucia Business Awards 2025 returned on December 15 at the Royalton Resort, reclaiming their place as the island’s premier barometer of commercial excellence.
The message was clear: in an era defined by global shocks and shifting markets, resilience is no longer optional, it is strategic.
The blue carpet set the tone, welcoming a cross-section of Saint Lucia’s business ecosystem established industry leaders, fast-scaling startups, social enterprises, and innovators who navigated the turbulence of the past half-decade and emerged leaner, smarter, and more competitive.
Last staged in 2019, the awards transformed the Royalton into a national stage for enterprise and execution, spotlighting businesses that adapted under pressure and recalibrated their models for a post-pandemic economy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Ernest Hilaire framed the occasion as a turning point for economic policy and growth, pointing to the performance of MSMEs, community tourism, and the expanding creative industries as proof of what is possible when the right enabling environment exists.
The scale of engagement was significant. One hundred and twelve submissions across multiple sectors underwent a rigorous adjudication process led by an independent panel of judges, supported by external oversight to safeguard credibility and transparency.
Awards Committee Chair Karen Peter commended the judges for their professionalism and discipline, noting the time and care required to uphold the integrity of the process.
The night delivered decisive outcomes across key categories:
• Young Professional of the Year — Connel Biscette Tameh
• New Business of the Year — Unique Stables 758
• Rego’s Natural was awarded Up and Coming Business
• Non-Profit of the Year — The Ubuntu Movement
• Environmental Stewardship Award — 758 Adventurers
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award — Coconut Bay Resort
• Employer of the Year — Automotive Art
Accepting the Employer of the Year award, Lyndell Halliday underscored a people-first philosophy, crediting team investment as the cornerstone of sustained performance.
The Export Achievement Award went to Construction and Industrial Equipment Ltd., whose director also captured Entrepreneur of the Year. The Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation was claimed by Unique Stables 758, prevailing in a competitive three-way field.
The Lifetime Achievement Award honoured Keifer Vitalis and the late Theresa Vitalis, founders of Builders Choice, Family Food Mart, and Aeroprint, whose decades of enterprise helped shape modern Saint Lucia commerce.
Capping the night, The Rayneau Group of Companies secured Business of the Year, affirming a central truth of the evening: in a world of constant disruption, adaptability is the new advantage.
The 11th edition of the Saint Lucia Business Awards was produced by Accela Marketing and The Independent Film Company.
