Known as a fine track and field administrator and manager, Ian Forbes is a pretty good business manager too.

The managing director of Sherwin-Williams (WI) Limited took the heralded Jamaica Institute of Management (JIM)/Gleaner 2012 Manager of the Year award on Thursday at King's House. Forbes, who was also installed as a fellow of JIM, was credited with making the company one of the top two in the country, and keeping it consistently profitable.

A thankful Forbes, who is also known for his goodwill and community work, lauded his parents, who were both involved in the Scout movement.

"They, at an early age, instilled in my siblings and myself, the importance of volunteerism and service," he said. "It was the least that we could to do, to give back to society." Forbes, a Jamaica College old boy, also thanked his wife, Lana, and their daughters for their continued support.

"They have put up with a lot and they have facilitated all my endeavours and I truly am thankful," he said.

Forbes, initially qualified as a teacher, has moved through the corporate world, with stops at GraceKennedy Ltd, the Biscuit Company of Jamaica and Facey Commodity Company Ltd.

He gave some 'big-ups' to his senior management team at Sherwin-Williams for their valuable assistance before using the occasion to openly plead for support of an organisation he chairs - the United Way of Jamaica.

"We know it takes cash to care but it's not just about cash," he said. "It's about giving back in whatever way we can." He asked everyone to adopt the mission of the United Way, which is to increase the organised capacity of individuals to care for each other.

OTHER NOMINEES

The other 2012 nominees were Jamaica Employers' Federation boss Brenda Cuthbert; Digicel's Patrick King; president of Optimum Capital Management, Ryan Mack; ATL's Assistant Deputy Chairman, Ian Neita; Customs Department boss Major Richard Reese; and Scotiabank Group trio Wayne Powell, Michael McAnuff-Jones and Hugh Reid.

In 2007, JIM revived its annual Manager of the Year award, partnering with The Gleaner. The objective is to recognise persons whose management skills, leadership and mentoring, inspire others to aim for excellence in the field of management.

Among the criteria, the nominees must have influenced the practice of management outside their own company and the individual's workplace must demonstrate evidence of principles of management in pursuit of defined corporate objectives.