Electricity provider Belco has renamed its administration building in honour of a former head of the company.

Belco said the commemoration changing the facility to the Garry A Madeiros Building recognised the “transformational” efforts of Mr Madeiros, who served as president and chief executive from 1994 to 2007.

Wayne Caines, president of Belco, hailed the efforts of the former chief executive at a gathering attended by staff, former employees, Mr Madeiros and his family.

Mr Caines said: “Garry's vision in 1994 was ambitious: to make Belco the best organisation in Bermuda. When he retired in 2007, that vision had become reality.

“This building stands as a testament to leadership that put people first, embraced innovation and never forgot that true success is measured not just in kilowatts delivered, but in lives improved and communities strengthened.”

Mr Madeiros said: “I am honoured by Belco’s decision to name the administration building after me and thank president Wayne Caines and his committee for bestowing this accolade.

“It was tremendous for me to receive this honour while I am alive, which allowed me to enjoy the recognition with family, friends and my Belco family.

“Having the participation of so many of my fellow retirees and former colleagues who still work at Belco was not only extremely special, but also very fitting, as they contributed as much as I did to any legacy that is attached to me.”

The company said Mr Madeiros “revolutionised” the firm during his tenure.

Describing his leadership philosophy as simple yet profound, a statement said Mr Madeiros kept his focus on people throughout the organisation.

It added: “No matter how technologically advanced we were, our success was still dependent on people and their attitudes and skills.”

The company said Mr Madeiros joined the firm in 1985.

His 22-year career culminated in 13 years of leadership that transformed the company's culture and operations.

It said his commitment to employee development was evident in the remodelling of the old office building into a purpose-built training centre.

His environmental stewardship was demonstrated in the 1997 commissioning of a $2.2 million oily waste treatment facility.

During his tenure, phases three and four of the East Power Station were completed, a feat marking the end of a 20-year development programme with the opening of the C Eugene Cox Operations Centre.

Belco added that when Hurricane Fabian devastated the island in 2003, Mr Madeiros’s team restored full power to all customers within three weeks.

After a catastrophic switch room fire on July 14, 2005 caused an island-wide blackout, the company ethos Mr Madeiros had cultivated was credited with enabling a swift recovery, along with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Phoenix Switchboard within a year.

“Beyond operational excellence, Garry understood that a great company must be a great community partner,” the company said.