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From left: Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, chairman of the Jamaica Observer with Ryland Campbell, principal of Capital and Credit Merchant Bank and Business Leader 2005, with last year's winner Kenny Benjamin of Guardsman Group Limited.
Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN of Capital and Credit Merchant Bank, Ryland Campbell, has repeated the call for a social partnership among Government, the private sector, trade unions and other stakeholders, to take the country out of its current state.
He said all who are willing to learn should be taught so the nation can free itself from the clutches of "... donmanism, extortion Anancyism, corruption and drugmen".
"We need to revive community institutions so that all can rise to the occasion and lift each other from the frustration and despair," he said.
He made the call after being declared the Jamaica Observer's Business Leader 2005. The announcement was made at the annual Business Leader Awards function at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday.
Mr. Campbell took the title ahead of Lyttleton 'Tanny' Shirley, of Mitchell's Auto Supplies and Shirlhome Chemicals; Ernest 'Ernie' Smatt of Shaw Park Hotel and Water Sports Enterprises; Ian Levy of Ian K. Agencies; John 'Zoukie' Marzouca of Zoukie Trucking; Terrence Jarrett of Altamont Court Hotel and Eugenia 'Gloriana' Minto of Gloriana Hotel.
Mr. Campbell said he accepted the award with honour, humility and pleasure but remained cognisant of his responsibility as a representative of Jamaica.
"It could have gone to any of the nominees because we are all accomplished people," said the proud son of Carmel, Westmoreland.
However, the business leader expressed regret that his father was not alive to see this achievement but added that he knew his mother 'Miss Pearlie' was proud of her son.
THANKS TO CAPITAL AND CREDIT TEAM
Mr. Campbell thanked the team at Capital and Credit Merchant Bank for holding him on their shoulders, sharing his vision, demonstrating loyalty, commitment to excellence, solid values and confidence in him.
The newspaper's chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, lauded the high quality nominees, describing them as self-made entrepreneurs who had, like good cream, risen to the top.
"In this business environment, anyone who can survive legitimately is a good businessman or woman. You have shown incredible entrepreneurial spirit and your work is making Jamaica stronger and better for the next generation," Mr. Stewart said.
