JAMAICA’S business community gathered at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Thursday to celebrate the organisations and entrepreneurs whose resilience, innovation and leadership have helped shape the country’s economic recovery following Hurricane Melissa which devastated sections of the island last October.

Hosted by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), the 41st Annual Awards Banquet recognised businesses and individuals which have not only adapted to a rapidly changing environment but have emerged stronger, more competitive, and better positioned for sustained growth.

Held under the theme ‘Building Forward: Recognising Excellence in Recovery, Resilience & Growth’, the banquet highlighted the determination of those who performed across multiple sectors and responded to disruption by strengthening operations, embracing innovation, and investing in long-term sustainability.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness captures the crowd’s attention as he delivers the keynote address at the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce’s (JCC) 41st Annual Awards Banquet.

Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness commended the private sector for its continued contribution to national development, and underscored the role of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) in creating opportunities for long-term economic growth.

Emphasising that the reconstruction effort extends beyond rebuilding physical infrastructure, Holness said: “As we advance the work of the NaRRA, all of the private sector entities in this room are part of that story. Local contractors, engineers, suppliers, financiers and logistics operators who build capability through this process are not just serving the reconstruction. We would like you all to work in partnership with the Government to become the private sector infrastructure of a stronger Jamaican economy. That is the ambition — not to return to where we were [but] to arrive somewhere better.”

A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Resilience In Action Honour, recognising individuals and corporate entities whose leadership and service supported Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa.

The recipients were Jaimie Ogilvie, vice-president at Jamaica Broilers Group Limited; Lisa Bell, management consultant; Lisa Soares Lewis, founder and CEO of Great People Solutions; Olive Downer Walsh, special advisor for government and industry affairs at Hardware & Lumber; Jamaica Public Service Company Limited; Digicel Jamaica; and FLOW Jamaica.

Claiming the JCC CG United Marketing Excellence award which honours marketing campaigns and initiatives that not only capture attention, but also deliver measurable impact is Sagicor Group Jamaica, which was recognised for their Sagicor Sigma Walk/Run campaign. Winsome Gibbs (second left), country manager, CG United Insurance, presents the award to Sagicor’s Daidre Sloley McKay (left), vice-president, marketing (Caribbean and LATAM); and Nicole Campbell Robinson (third left), vice-president, communications, social media and CSR. They are are joined by representatives from the more than 40-member Sagicor Sigma Run Planning and Execution Committee.

The Best of Chamber Awards, which recognise exceptional performance across the micro, small, medium, large and extra-large enterprise categories, were presented to Joan Latty Realty, EPIC Technologies, Allied Insurance Brokers, Chas E Ramson, and Seprod Group, respectively.

The awards programme also recognised excellence in business performance and leadership.

National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd received the JCC CARRERAS Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Award; Chef Brian Lumley of Foodie Focused Limited received the Entrepreneur Award; and Sagicor Group Jamaica Ltd earned the JCC CG United Marketing Excellence Award.

Dwain Donaldson (right), co-founder and director of EPIC Technologies, holds his award high with pride as he accepts the trophy for the top spot in the Best of Chamber Small Enterprise category for 2025. Sharing the moment is presenter Cecil Smith, general manager, J Wray & Nephew Ltd.

The chamber also presented its All-Star Award to Janine Chen — vice-president of the JCC and chair of its Pharmaceutical Subcommittee — in recognition of her outstanding service and contribution to the organisation.

Reflecting on the significance of this year’s awards, JCC President Emile Leiba said: “In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, businesses across the country were required to make difficult decisions, adapt quickly, and rethink how they operate. What we have witnessed since then is a remarkable commitment to strengthening systems, embracing innovation, and building greater resilience.

“Tonight’s awardees have demonstrated that recovery is not simply about returning to normal but about creating stronger, more sustainable organisations that are prepared for future opportunities and challenges.”