MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Business stalwarts Stafford Haughton and Jean Anderson, of this south-central town, were recognised recently for their decades of dedication towards the development of commerce here.

Haughton, a pharmacist and third-generation proprietor of the 102-year-old Haughton’s Pharmacy, is renowned for his contribution to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce down the years, having served as a former president.

Anderson is the only living founding member of the 58-year-old local chamber and served as its first woman president.

She is a founding member of the renowned Global Travel Services and the only living sibling of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga.

Haughton and Anderson have been lauded as pioneers in the development of Manchester.

They were among awardees of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce at a banquet held at Golf View Hotel in Mandeville recently.

President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce Simone Spence-Johnson highlighted the significance of recognising the stalwarts.

“When you think of Manchester you think of them, and their individual and collective efforts have helped to shape and establish the treasured image of this beautiful parish. [They] have contributed significantly over the span of their careers and we decided that we definitely should honour them,” she said.

“[Mrs Anderson] took over from Mr Haughton who was president for a number of years,” added Spence-Johnson.

Custos of Manchester Garfield Green, who is also a former president of the chamber, lauded the lifetime awardees.

“I congratulate them both. They deserve it based on the history that they have with the chamber that I know of. When I was chamber president both of them gave a lot of support to the chamber,” he said.

“It is not that they were just presidents — they helped to build the chamber in the early days. It is good that the chamber could recognise them at this time. They are both ageable people and they made their mark so they are well deserving of the recognition,” he said.

Spence-Johnson commended business leaders for contributing to the growth of Manchester.

“This year the chamber celebrates 58 years and we are proud of the rich history and foundation that has been laid; we are very privileged to carry on the mandate. The awards banquet was [started] out of the need to recognise the stalwarts in the parish; we have contributed significantly to the local economy,” she said.

“We pay tribute to those who have put in the work. This year’s nominees and awardees have put the systems and strategies in place and have reaped great results… towards the betterment of Manchester,” she added.

Online order and delivery company 876Get won the Business of the Year Award; Sagicor Bank copped the Financial Services Award; Three T’s Restaurant copped the Customer Service Award; the Education Award went to Heart/NSTA Trust; BMR Energy won the Environmental Award; Three Angel’s Pharmacy received the COVID Impact Award; Made in Manchester copped the Community Impact Award; Curl Frenz was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year; The Central Jamaica Social Development Initiative copped the Visionary Award; and leading coffee manufacturer Jamaica Standard Products won the Family Business Award.