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In every corner of Barbados, there are entrepreneurs with big ideas but limited access to the support they need to grow. Cherry Tree Trust exists to change that. Since 2011, we have been backing ambition with affordable, unsecured loans and real-world mentorship, helping small and micro-businesses create jobs, strengthen communities, and build a more resilient, inclusive economy for the future.

Charles Pink and the Founding Vision of The Cherry Tree Trust

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Charles Pink

Charles Pink, one of the founders of The Cherry Tree Trust and now a valued Board Member Emeritus, is a retired banker who spent seven years living in the Caribbean. During that time, he developed a genuine appreciation for the region and a deep desire to contribute to its growth. His idea was simple but powerful: help small businesses access the support they need to thrive. From that vision, The Cherry Tree Trust was born.

In 2023, Charles stepped back from his role as Founding Chairman, transitioning from active service to the honorary position of Trustee Emeritus. While no longer involved in day-to-day activities, his insight, passion for entrepreneurship, and belief in the region continue to shape the Trust’s work.

The Cherry Tree Trust was also founded with the guidance and expertise of three other dedicated individuals: Peter Hall, who now serves as Chairman and Trustee; Ella Hoyos, Director, Trustee, and Legal lead; and Renee Kowlessar, Director, Trustee, and Finance lead. Together, these founders brought a blend of leadership, legal, and financial expertise that has helped the Trust grow into a strong platform for supporting small businesses in Barbados.

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Peter Hall

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Renee Kowlessar

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Ella Hoyos

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Our Mission

We empower small and micro-businesses in Barbados by providing affordable, unsecured loans and expert mentorship. Our goal is to break down the barriers that hold back promising entrepreneurs, enabling them to create jobs, strengthen communities, and drive sustainable economic growth.

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Our Values

● Ambition – We strive for the full potential of every entrepreneur we serve.

● Passion – We care deeply about the success of our beneficiaries.

● Partnership – We build long-term, trust-based relationships with those we support.

Our Story

Established in 2011, the Cherry Tree Trust is a privately funded charity in Barbados, born from a simple but powerful idea supporting small businesses as a pathway to sustainable economic growth. The Trust's mission is to provide underserved small and micro-businesses with the financial backing they need to start or expand their operations.

How We Work

  • Your Partner in Small Busness Financing

    Through our Cherry Tree Lending programme, we provide small and micro-businesses in Barbados with low-interest, unsecured loans. These loans make it possible for entrepreneurs to start, expand, or sustain their operations even if they lack collateral or credit history.

  • Funding alone is not enough. That’s why every entrepreneur we support is paired with a dedicated mentor from the moment they apply.
    Our volunteer mentors, experts in banking, marketing, agriculture, IT, law, and more, offer strategic guidance, industry insights, and valuable connections. Regular check-ins and progress reviews keep businesses on track and growing.

  • By combining access to capital with hands-on mentorship, we help our beneficiaries build resilient, profitable businesses that contribute to economic empowerment across Barbados.

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  • Peter Hall was born in Antigua, raised in Jamaica, and now calls Barbados home. He moved to the island in 2002 for work and has been rooted here ever since. A three-time graduate of the University of the West Indies with a focus in History, Peter began his career in education, teaching for 10 years before transitioning into organisation development.

    Over the past two decades, he has worked extensively across the Caribbean, partnering with public and private sector organisations to strengthen people, culture, and structures. His passion for community has also led him to serve in various charitable and voluntary leadership roles.

    Peter is married to Nicole, and together they have three children. Outside of work, he enjoys music, sports, and spending time with good friends.

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  • Renée Kowlessar is a Chartered Accountant and Accredited Director with 30 years of experience in audit, finance, and senior banking roles. She began her career with PwC in Toronto and Barbados before moving into leadership positions in the financial sector.

    For over 13 years, Renée has served on various boards, bringing expertise in financial strategy, performance, and governance. She is deeply committed to her volunteer work with The Cherry Tree Trust, where she supports micro-enterprises in building sustainable growth.

    An Associate Certified Coach, Renée also focuses on leadership development, helping professionals and organisations unlock their full potential.

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  • Ella N. Hoyos is a seasoned Attorney-at-Law and the head of Rockley Law Group, a boutique commercial law firm in Barbados. A qualified Mediator and Arbitrator, she began her career in the island’s international business sector before moving into senior leadership roles, including General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Managing Director of Human Resources for CIBC Caribbean Bank.

    Alongside her professional work, Ella is committed to community and charitable initiatives, and she actively serves within the Anglican Diocese of Barbados. Her blend of legal expertise, leadership experience, and community service reflects a deep dedication to fostering both professional excellence and social impact.

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  • Lana is a seasoned marketer with over 20 years of experience across industries, combining agency creativity with corporate strategy. As a certified life coach and part-time lecturer at UWI, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to brand building, communication, and education, anchoring her work in insight, impact, and purpose.

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  • Sasha is an executive and life coach with over 15 years of leadership experience across the Caribbean. With a diverse background in finance, operations, and people development, she helps individuals and teams navigate change with clarity and confidence. Her career includes serving as Executive Director at AmCham BEC, working in Insurtech, and contributing at a Big Four firm in Ireland. Sasha holds an MBA, a BSc from the University of the West Indies, and postgraduate qualifications from University College Dublin.

    Passionate about growth and leadership, Sasha is dedicated to empowering others to reach their potential and lead with purpose.

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  • Ezlon is a retired banker with 38 years of experience, including 33 years with Barclays Bank/FirstCaribbean and five with Butterfield Bank. An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (UK) and holder of a Diploma in Management Studies from UWI, Cave Hill, he specialised in Credit Risk Management and lending across personal and corporate sectors. His career took him to several Caribbean islands, broadening his regional expertise. Ezlon enjoys reading, following sports—especially cricket—and spending time with his wife, Heddie, and their three adult children.

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  • Howard Hall is a seasoned executive and Chartered Accountant with a proven track record in financial leadership, business turnaround, and strategic growth across the Caribbean. His career includes senior roles in insurance, aviation, and finance—most notably as Group SVP at Massy and CFO of Air Jamaica.

    Now Managing Director of Hallway Consulting, Howard draws on decades of experience mentoring teams, supporting entrepreneurship, and driving organisational development. He recently joined The Cherry Tree Trust’s credit management team, bringing his expertise to strengthen lending decisions and support small business success.

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  • Joannie is a retired career banker with over 40 years of experience in regulatory, reporting, and auditing roles. She has served in senior leadership positions with two Central Banks in the region, as well as a regional commercial bank, bringing a deep understanding of the financial sector’s operations and oversight.

    Her extensive training in central banking, domestic and offshore banking, risk management, and governance adds strategic depth to The Cherry Tree Trust’s mission. Joannie is a Fellow of the London Institute of Banking and Finance, reflecting her longstanding commitment to professional excellence and ethical leadership.

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  • Deborah is originally from Trinidad and has called Barbados home for the past 28 years. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, specialising in Finance and Business Strategy, and has worked in both the telecommunications and offshore sectors.

    Passionate about building sustainable communities, Deborah supports local small businesses through analytics, monitoring, and research, helping them strengthen operations and achieve long-term success.

    Outside of her professional work, Deborah enjoys practising yoga to relax, travelling to experience new cultures, and spending time with good friends.

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  • Kevin Bryan is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants with over 20 years of domestic and international accounting experience. He gained his early accountancy experience in public practice at one of the Big Four accounting firms and thereafter worked in accounting and general management across various other industries in Barbados. 

    He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus where he attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Accounting, a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Laws degree in Corporate and Commercial Law. Additionally, he is a Chartered Secretary with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators UK. 

    Kevin is also an attorney at law. He obtained his Legal Education Certificate in 2022 from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago and was admitted to the Barbados Bar that same year. 

    Kevin previously served on the Legislation Committee of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados and was also a former Treasurer of the Barbados Bar Association. 

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  • Simone is a skilled administrative professional who empowers leaders through expert executive support, efficient project coordination, and seamless event management. A certified broadcaster with over nine years of media experience, she blends meticulous organisation with strong communication skills to ensure smooth operations and successful project delivery.

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