ClientReferrals wins Global Excellence Award at CIS26 and deepens partnership with Saint Kitts and Nevis

Last week, Caribbean Investment Summit 2026 (CIS26) took place in Saint Lucia, bringing together more than 350 delegates—including prime ministers, leaders from the Citizenship Unit (CIU), project operators, due diligence providers, marketing agencies, and industry representatives from across multiple countries. Over the course of the forum, participants focused on the most important questions shaping the future of investment migration across the Caribbean region.

The event was organized around the theme “The power of convergence: global capital and mobility”. After three days of discussion, attendees agreed on a key takeaway: program quality should be judged not only by benefits for applicants and the rigor of verification, but—above all—by the value it creates for the country and the real impact it delivers for citizens.

CIS Recognition for ClientReferrals

Within the summit’s agenda, ClientReferrals received the Global Excellence Award. The award is selected by CIS26 participants to recognize an individual or organization whose influence extends beyond a single jurisdiction and who has contributed in a tangible way to the growth of the global investment migration market.

In its remarks, the organizing team highlighted ClientReferrals’ regional achievements, noting initiatives linked to affordable housing development, hotel and real estate projects, as well as industry capacity-building and skills growth through cinema-related endeavors.

“It is a great honor for me to accept this award on behalf of ClientReferrals,” said Patrick Peters, CEO of ClientReferrals, addressing the delegates. “This recognition is for the work of our team. It is also a sincere thank-you to our partners worldwide—immigration specialists and RCBI companies—who trust us and enable us to continue delivering projects designed to create measurable community outcomes.”

A Landmark Education Investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis

CIS26 also featured the announcement of an expanded strategic partnership between ClientReferrals and the Citizenship Unit of Saint Kitts and Nevis (CIU). The collaboration is intended to launch and scale initiatives that directly improve people’s lives across the Federation.

Under the updated engagement, ClientReferrals has officially been designated as Public Benefactor for the Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option.

“The citizenship programme of Saint Kitts and Nevis maintains its focus on partnerships that share our vision for sustainable development, transparency, and nation-building. This initiative reflects a meaningful public-private collaboration: it strengthens communities and contributes directly to the Federation’s progress,” said H.E. Calvin St Juste, Executive Chairman of the CIU, commenting on the deepened partnership with ClientReferrals.

Basseterre High School (BHS) has long been a source of national pride and identity. Its alumni include influential figures in public administration, entrepreneurs, and well-known athletes, as well as prominent people from the arts. Over time, however, the building and infrastructure became outdated and deteriorated, ultimately requiring the school to be dismantled.

The new project includes:

• Creation of modern classrooms, IT and science labs, workshops, and world-class facilities for arts and sports;
• A world-class platform for academic, sporting, and community events;
• Job creation—both short-term and long-term;
• Renewed pride and enthusiasm among residents of Saint Kitts and Nevis tied to national identity;
• More opportunities for Federation residents to achieve high outcomes and strengthen the country.

The BHS initiative is more than another construction job. It is an important investment in the future of a resilient community—built with generations to come in mind.

Construction will deliver a modern educational campus with upgraded academic, technical, recreational, and community facilities that will benefit students, teachers, and society at large—today and into the future.

Government representatives have repeatedly confirmed their intention to deliver the Basseterre High School project as part of broader national efforts to strengthen education infrastructure and open new pathways for young people. For example, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley recently emphasized: “Our students need this school.”

Further trust-based cooperation with the state

This announcement came just 10 months after ClientReferrals appointed Public Benefactor for the National Housing Corporation (PBO). At that time, the initiative already led to funding for the construction of more than 100 affordable homes nationwide. The first families—buying homes for the first time—plan to move into the new properties within the next two months.

The project demonstrated how a citizenship programme can serve as a practical tool to advance national priorities and generate tangible results for local communities: jobs are created, new neighborhoods take shape, and working families gain the opportunity to secure their own homes.

Now, Basseterre High School PBO further reflects the momentum of successful cooperation between ClientReferrals and the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis. “We are extremely proud to have been selected for this project, and to be able to build a school the country truly needs,” said Guy Pilote, Managing Director of ClientReferrals.

He added: “From the very beginning of our relationship, we said our priority is projects with the strongest possible public impact for the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis. What we achieved together with the National Housing Corporation in such a short time is only the beginning. PBO NHC is proof that citizenship programmes can be a meaningful development tool that helps deliver national goals. We are proud of the outcomes to date, and grateful for the opportunity to be partners on Basseterre High School PBO—a project built for generations.”

CIS26 Recognition for the Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme

At CIS26, international recognition was also awarded to the Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship programme, which won four awards: Programme of the Year Award, Caribbean Impact Award, Time to Citizenship Efficiency Award, and Sustainable Development Impact Award. The last honor recognizes CIU’s broader approach to using the citizenship programme as a tool for impact-driven investment—supporting projects such as the PBO National Housing Corporation and now the Basseterre High School PBO.

As the investment migration industry continues to evolve, both ClientReferrals and the CIU of Saint Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed their shared commitment to keeping the citizenship programme closely aligned with the Federation’s development priorities and the long-term wellbeing of its citizens.

For information about the Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option, contact:

Patrick Peters — CEO

— or —

Patrick McCarthy — Director, Basseterre High School PBO

Expert perspective: In recent years, “investment migration” has increasingly been assessed not just by how quickly applications are processed, but by the structure of the projects behind the programme. A lesser-known but important factor is project governance: credible reporting standards, third-party verification, and ring-fenced funding mechanisms can make public outcomes more measurable—and can reduce reputational risk for both the state and intermediaries. As a result, many stakeholders now treat due diligence and impact measurement as part of the same value chain, rather than as separate compliance steps.

If you’re considering investment-based residence/citizenship and want to evaluate programs not just by paperwork, but by real value and impact, the team at Digital Nomad will help you navigate the criteria and process. We’ll guide you toward the right jurisdiction and a clear path to results that are measurable—for you and for the host country.

Our Telegram channel about various types of Greek residence permits, digital nomad programs, and the Greek Golden Visa: @digitalnomadgr