ST ANDREW, Jamaica – This year’s staging of the Jamaica Observer Business Leader Award, set for December 6, will focus its attention on businesses that go beyond making a profit to giving back to Jamaica.

The theme: Business Leader Corporate Philanthropy, was announced today at the launch of the annual event at the newspaper’s Beechwood Avenue offices in St Andrew.

While speaking at the launch, Managing Director of the Jamaica Observer Danville Walker, said the premier event has grown tremendously over the years. “We now recognise those that, through their leadership and creativity, not only give back, but encourage others to give back,” Walker said.

Disclosing that there are 18 potential nominees from which 10 will be nominated, Chairman of the Jamaica Observer Business Leader Committee Moses Jackson explained the idea behind this year’s awards.

Jackson said the Business Leader Award programme is taking a slight variation in terms of the fundamental theme of promoting businesses, in looking at how businesses spend their money instead of how they earn money.

He also said that the hope is that the Jamaica Observer Business Leader Award will be used as a platform to lift public consciousness and public conscience about philanthropy, so corporate philanthropy can be seen as a legitimate dimension of doing business.