The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation has appointed two new directors, Jamillah Lodge and Raymond Lambert, to grow the organisation.

Ms Lodge is the new director of communication and development and Mr Lambert is the new director of micro, small and medium enterprises.

They will help to deliver on the new strategic direction of the BEDC under the guidance of the board of directors.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role and grateful to the executive director and the board, for entrusting me with the challenge of firmly establishing BEDC as a key organisation in Bermuda,” Ms Lodge said. “Working with the BEDC team over the years, has given me tremendous joy and challenged me. I am excited to help cement BEDC as the premier organisation in Bermuda for all things entrepreneurship.”

Ms Lodge has worked with the BEDC for more than a decade. She began her tenure with the corporation as a business development officer where she supported local entrepreneurs with business support and guidance. She began managing the marketing and communication for the corporation and introduced special projects, like the Global Entrepreneurship Week initiative which provided BEDC with increased visibility on a local and international scale.

The increase in demand for this type of support led to the creation of the information, education and communication officer role, which Ms Lodge assumed in 2015. In this role, she helped to further the BEDC brand and development of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem including the creation of television and radio shows, Mind Your Business, to support BEDC’s mission to actively assist the development of a strong, well-managed, and prosperous local business sector in Bermuda. In her own words, “If you don’t Mind Your Business, who will”.

Mr Lambert was excited to be given the opportunity to continue to support local entrepreneurs.

“I look forward to using my experience and leveraging the progress that we have already made at BEDC to continue to create opportunities for all business owners in Bermuda regardless of the stage of business they are in,” he said.

Mr Lambert started at the BEDC in 2012 as the economic development officer for the St George’s Economic Empowerment Zone.

In his role, Mr Lambert supported local business owners with advice, guidance, and financial products, and co-ordinated advanced community-based initiatives to create economic development tools for the continued development of the St George’s EEZ. One such initiative is the St George’s Marine Expo which has helped to highlight St George’s and increase the opportunities for the businesses located within the town.

The BEDC said Mr Lambert’s business experience, and solid foundation in tourism and hospitality positioned him to take on the new role. This new unit will be the frontline in the corporation to support entrepreneurs through their business lifecycle from ideation and start-up to scaling and sustainability.

“BEDC is extremely pleased to have persons as talented and experienced as Jamillah and Raymond in these new director positions,” said BEDC executive director Erica Smith. “We needed just the right professionals who have the passion for entrepreneurship, understand the inner workings of BEDC, and are committed and innovative in their approach to supporting entrepreneurship. I have had the pleasure of working with Jamillah and Raymond in their various held and acting roles within the organisation and they are perfect fits to help advance the BEDC forward.”

Neville Grant, BEDC board chairman said: “We are pleased to have to two of our existing staff members take on roles that not only help us to achieve our strategic direction, but roles that they are also uniquely qualified for. We look forward to their continued contribution to the success of the corporation”.