Much to celebrate

FOR MANY years, Deryck Gibson has been a household name recognised as one of Jamaica’s outstanding brands, especially in the supply of industrial equipment and products. Deryck was a young man still in his twenties in 1956 when he founded his company, seeking to take advantage of, and contribute to, the industrialisation programme that then promised significant transformation of the Jamaican economy. That clearly demonstrated the qualities of boldness, foresight and steely commitment that would become his enduring assets and would buttress him through the tough and challenging periods that Jamaica would later experience.

Sixty years on and Deryck A. Gibson Limited remains one of our prestigious suppliers of equipment and services not just for the industrial sector, but also the automotive industry, maritime and energy sectors. Much of its success and outstanding legacy must be attributed to Deryck’s leadership, effective management, and the principles and values he has instilled in the managers and staff of his company and which define its relationship with its clients. His achievements and example led to him being invited to serve as a director of various companies.

Deryck Gibson, however, is much more that the consummate business leader we know him to be. He has not just found the time for, but is passionate about, giving voluntary and philanthropic service to his country in so many different ways. I recall that during my time as a member of parliament in St Catherine, Deryck helped to establish and was chairman of the St Jago de la Vega Trust, a charitable foundation that instituted and supported several projects in the Spanish Town area, including providing scholarships, medical assistance and sports facilities. The Spanish Town Prison Oval, which is the main sporting venue in the parish, owes much to the contribution and effort of the trust under Deryck’s leadership.

Deryck’s sterling qualities were clearly recognised by the government of Finland, for which he served as honorary consul to Jamaica for several years.

Amid everything else, Deryck is simply a good, decent human being in the good, old-fashioned way. He and his dear wife Olive, who already have celebrated more than 60 years of marriage, are the finest example of what family life should be.

Deryck has much to celebrate and he is, himself, cause for much celebration.

BRUCE GOLDING Former Prime Minister of Jamaica