Casserly remembers a great business leader

The Honourable Oliver Clarke has been a great business leader and his scope was extensive across many areas. Perhaps Mr Clarke?s greatest challenge was to maintain The Gleaner in the 1970s. Those were very challenging times.

The Gleaner?s head office at North Street and East Street was under threat. The government leader of the day led a march of supporters to the East Street area of The Gleaner Company. However, the march ended when the leader said, ?Next time,? and the crowd departed.

On one occasion, Oliver Clarke addressed the Rotary Club of St Andrew at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. He told us that the Government wanted The Gleaner?s editorials to be sent to a review board before publication, but the company refused.

The government of the day removed The Gleaner from the publications to receive government advertisements. Mr Clarke invited Gleaner subscribers to purchase shares in the company, to help to keep The Gleaner going. That was successful.

I had the pleasure of serving on one of Mr Clarke?s boards, 1993-2001. It was a great pleasure to serve on the board.

May the many businesses in which Mr Clarke was involved and led continue, and may his contribution be forever remembered.

Alvaro Casserly

Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Jamaica Unit Trust Services Limited