Dennise Williams, Staff ReporterIF ONE considers the development of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), the name Rita Humphries-Lewin is intricately linked to its phenomenal growth and success. A pioneer in the field of stockbroking, Mrs. Humphries-Lewin founded the Barita Group of Companies in 1977.
From there it has grown into a stockbroking, general investing, unit trust and pension fund management powerhouse. Mrs. Humphries-Lewin has also seen to the growth of the equities market in Jamaica. Chairman of the JSE in 1985 and then again in 1995-1999, she is a role model for women in the financial services industry.
So one would come to the conclusion that she lives and breathes the stock market.
Think again.
"After work and on the weekend, if you ask me how the stock market did, I'll get an instant headache. I trained myself early in my career to leave work at the office."
When Mrs. Humphries-Lewin is not making money for her clients, she is on the golf course, playing cards or completing crossword puzzles. "You can't think about business during these pursuits." However, it is golf that she is most passionate about. "Oh, I play a lot of golf. And that takes most of the weekend. The beauty about golf is that it takes so much concentration and
you block out everything. Occasionally, things cross your mind, but that's when your game goes to pot. Golf trains you to compartmentalise things. It trains you for putting the office behind you."
OBSESSION
And one can understand Mrs. Humphries-Lewin's obsession with the game. During work, the success or failure of money management is dependent on the team you are a part of. Not golf. "Golf is something you can play by yourself. Other people do not affect the game and so it brings you in touch with yourself. You do interact with people when you play golf, but when I make a mistake, there is only one person to blame."
Through golf, Mrs. Humphries-Lewin can get in touch with her spiritual side, appreciate nature and get fit, all at the same time. "When you are on a golf course, it's just one big pasture no roads, no cars. Nothing more than nature, the trees the grass and the mountains surrounding you. I feel close to God, to nature and myself. And I don't drive a cart, I walk around the golf course for exercise."
And in describing her golfing abilities, she said, "My game is average. Sometimes I play very well and other times I can't play at all."
Should the weather go against her, Mrs. Humphries-Lewin then turns to crossword puzzles. In fact, "I actually do crosswords every evening. It cuts the brain from work." Still, her love of golf is paramount. "It's a wonderful game. Golf is an addictive game."
