Durrant Pate/Contributor       

There is another new development at Dolphin Cove, which recently changed majority ownership and directorship, as long time Director and company Mentor, Richard L. Downer, is exiting the tourist attractions company.

Downer has tendered his resignation as a Director of the company with effect from September 2, 2026. He has advised the Board that with the recent appointment of new independent directors, it now has sufficient resources to constitute its committees with the requisite complement of independent directors having the experience and qualifications appropriate to carry on the work of the Special Committee and the Audit Committee.

Also, given his age and length of tenure, the veteran management consultant considers this the right time for the refreshment of the Board. Notably, Downer has reportedly confirmed that his resignation does not arise from any disagreement with the Board on any matter relating to the company’s accounting practices, financial reporting, or disclosure.

Will continue as Mentor until successor appointed

Downer has also given notice of his resignation as Mentor to the company under the Junior Market Rules of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. He will continue to serve as Mentor until his resignation takes effect in accordance with the Mentor Agreement or until a successor Mentor has been engaged and approved by the exchange, whichever first occurs.

As such, Dolphin Cove will at all times have a Mentor as the Junior Market Rules require. The engagement of a successor Mentor is being treated as a matter of priority, and a further announcement will be made when the appointment is settled.

The Board has thanked Downer for his years of dedicated service to the company as a Director and as Mentor, and for his contribution to the company’s governance. 

Dolphin Cove appointed four new independent directors and updated its board leadership in August and September 2026, while confirming that Global Attractions is its new owner, having acquired a 79.99% stake from previous majority shareholder, World of Dolphins Inc.

The four new directors are Darys Estrella, former CEO of the Dominican Republic’s stock exchange; Dr Colin Kerr, Jamaican executive at IMCA Jamaica, appointed Deputy Chairman on September 2, 2026; Alberto Berges Gonzalez, Spanish attorney, chairing Amadita Laboratorio Clínico and Sylvain Dominici, Executive covering special projects at Liberty Latin America.