PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, May 1, CMC – The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), is mourning the death of its former executive director Hayden Blades.
Blades, a Barbadian national, served as the Executive Director of CARDI from 1994 to 2000.
During his time at CARDI he embarked on a restructuring programme to create a refocused, cost effective and sustainable Institute ready for the 21st century.
According to CARDI – as part of this exercise he redirected the thrust of the Institute’s Research and Development programme to ensure it was market led and results oriented. As a result, several commodity networks were formed, support units such as Marketing and Communications strengthened and PROCICARIBE – a regional R and D network established. Key to this exercise was the institutionalising of a robust four track Resource Mobilisation drive.
Prior to joining CARDI, Blades worked at the Guyana based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat as the Director of Trade, Agriculture, Export Promotion, Air and Sea Transportation.
He also coordinated the implementation of the CARICOM Export Development Project which evolved into the Institution we now know as Caribbean Export Development Agency, in his homeland of Barbados.
After leaving CARDI Blades returned to CARICOM as the Advisor, Single Market and Economy and Officer-in-Charge of the CARICOM Haiti Office, which was officially opened on July 12, 2001.
“The management and staff extend heartfelt condolences to Mr. Blades’ family and friends.”
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