Durrant Pate/Contributor

Dr. R. Brian Langrin has been appointed governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), succeeding Richard Byles, whose seven-year term ends tomorrow.

Dr Langrin will assume office this Wednesday, August 19. In making the announcement this afternoon, Finance and Public Service Minister, Fayval Williams, said the appointment was made by the Governor-General in Council following a selection process led by a search committee established in April.

The committee considered a field of local and international candidates before selecting Langrin, who brings more than two decades of experience in central banking, financial stability and multilateral development institutions. The new BOJ Governor has held senior positions at the institution in financial stability and economic research.

Dr. Langrin’s credentials

He also served as a financial stability adviser at the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), an International Monetary Fund-administered regional body, where he advised central banks across the Caribbean. Dr Langrin holds a PhD in economics from Pennsylvania State University and has published extensively on financial stability and monetary policy.

In welcoming Dr Langrin to the BOJ, Minister Williams described him as a “forward-looking leader” whose experience in monetary policy, financial stability, innovation and regional and international cooperation will help Jamaica navigate a changing global economy.

According to the Minister, “the Government reaffirms its full commitment to the independence of the BOJ and to the continuity of the sound monetary and financial policies that have anchored our economic stability.

In his reply, the new BOJ boss said he was honoured to take on the role at a pivotal time for Jamaica; “I am committed to preserving the Bank’s hard-won credibility and independence, to keeping inflation low and stable, and to advancing the modernisation of our financial system for the benefit of every Jamaican.”

Byles record of achievements

During his tenure, Byles guided monetary policy through several major economic shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a global surge in inflation, Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Hurricane Melissa in 2025, and the Middle East war and resulting oil shock in 2026.

Under Byles, the BOJ strengthened its formal inflation-targeting framework and worked to return inflation toward its target range while maintaining financial system stability. His tenure also included the implementation of the Bank of Jamaica’s statutory independence under the BOJ (Amendment) Act, 2020, and the launch of JAM-DEX, Jamaica’s central bank digital currency.

The Finance and the Public Service Minister thanked Byles for what she described as “distinguished and consequential service,” noting that he guided the country’s monetary policy through an extraordinary period. Langrin is married and has three children.