Excerpt from Jamaica Observer Column published Monday , March 01, 2021
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Chairman of J Wray & Nephew Limited and Campari Group Jamaica Jimmy Lawrence retired recently after over 25 years of world-class leadership with the two companies. The elegant, understated Lawrence earned the respect of colleagues worldwide, serving on the board of the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) and as chairman of the Spirits Pool Association, as well as the Jamaica Rum and Spirits Trade Association.
Born in St Ann, Lawrence is a York Castle High School alumnus and studied chemistry at The University of the West Indies (UWI). In an interview with the Jamaica Observer‘s H G Helps he recalled his mother’s insistence on good etiquette and shared his passion for education, sponsoring scholarships for less fortunate children.
Helps quotes Lawrence: “In terms of other plans, being a scientist, I have inventions that I have logged. I have even filed for at least one patent in the US patent office… ideas that I have but when you get engrossed into working and being part of a team it just diminishes the available time and the drive to carry these things to an end. I think in my more relaxed years — retirement — these are some of the things that I would pursue more… I look forward to retiring… it’s another phase and I want to be closer to my kids and my wife to enjoy the fruits of our labour as much as possible.”
We wish Jimmy Lawrence an enjoyable and adventurous retirement.
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