PSOJ places spotlight on 50 under-50 business leaders

As Jamaica continues its celebration to mark 50 years of Independence, the nation's most powerful private-sector group is getting ready to celebrate young business leaders under the age of 50.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has already identified 50 of the country's young business professionals in various sectors for special honour.

Starting this week, it will begin to showcase those to be celebrated in a series of profiles on Flow's Channel 100, in The Gleaner newspaper, and online.

The PSOJ's CEO, Sandra Glasgow, noted that the 50UnderFifty project was an important way of having a forward-looking focus to identify those business leaders who will help Jamaica achieve its Vision 2030.

She declared that the 50 persons selected have demonstrated strong leadership qualities in their respective fields throughout the years.

The PSOJ executive explained that nominees, under 50, are associated with a business in operation for a minimum of three years.

Nominees impact Jamaica

The business must be a net jobs generator, and the nominee must be able to demonstrate impact on the Jamaican society through advocacy and/or corporate social responsibility.

The business/nominee must be able to demonstrate innovation in the products/services offered, as well as strong ethical practices.

Also, the individual and the business must be fully registered and tax compliant, and must be profitable or demonstrate a clear path to profitability within two years.

The 50UnderFifty persons will be honoured on November 29 at a special banquet where the guest speaker will be Dr Freeman Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People for 2012.

The PSOJ first launched the programme in June when it was endorsed by Minister of Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton.

Hylton said then that the move to honour business leaders under 50 years old was timely. He called for recognition of such leaders, especially since they are the ones who will maintain a Jamaican tradition of business growth, economic partnership and corporate social responsibility.

Sponsors of the 50UnderFifty PSOJ initiative

• National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited
• Columbus Business Solutions Jamaica
• Gold
• Spanish Court Hotel
• Caribbean Producers Jamaica

Wealth Magazine

• Silver
• Secrets Resorts & Spa
• Pewter
• GraceKennedy Limited
• National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM)
• Bronze
• The Marketing Counselors
• Panmedia Jamaica
• The Production LAB
• Main Event Entertainment Group Limited
• Phase3 Productions