Nominees named for JCC’s 40th annual awards celebration

The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has officially unveiled the nominees for the 40th Annual JCC Awards as it honours trailblazers, innovators, and changemakers shaping Jamaica’s economic future.

Announced during a recent media launch, the list of nominees represents a cross-section of industries, including quick service restaurants, food and beverage, business and finance, telecommunications, medical services, manufacturing and production.

Nominees have been announced across four major award categories: the Best of Chamber Award, which celebrates excellence across micro, small, medium, large, and extra-large enterprises; the CARRERAS Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Award; the Entrepreneur Award; and the Barita Marketing Excellence Award. This year’s shortlist includes some of Jamaica’s most recognisable companies and standout entrepreneurs driving innovation and impact in their sectors.

In the Best of Chamber category, micro enterprise nominees include Five Star Quality and Justice Associates Ja, Return on Investment Consulting Ltd (ROIC), Prescient Consulting, and Suga Lifestyle. In the small enterprise category, the nominees are Charles O’Connor Consulting Network Limited, Jamaica Trading Services Ltd, and Next Step Digital Solution. Medium enterprise contenders include Ernst & Young, BIOregeneration Integrated Medical Centre Limited, Kingston Bookshop, Allied Insurance, and Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd. The large enterprise category features Main Event Ltd, Chas E. Ramson Ltd, GK General Insurance Co Ltd, Berger Paints Jamaica Limited, and Barita Investments Ltd. Lastly, in the extra-large enterprise category, nominees include C&W Jamaica Ltd, GraceKennedy Ltd, J. Wray & Nephew, Red Stripe, and Scotiabank.

The CARRERAS Environmental, ESG Award recognises organisations leading in sustainability, corporate responsibility, and governance practices. Nominees in this category are Berger Paints Jamaica Limited, Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd, CEMEX, GraceKennedy Limited, Jamaica Energy Partners Group, Juici Beef, and Scotiabank.

This year’s Entrepreneur Award, which highlights individuals making significant grassroots impact, features six nominees. They are Shanoy Harris Coombs of Infinity IMC, Donald Smith of Smith’s Rum Cream, Yanique Frederick of Precision Law, Theo Smith of Great House Caterers, Heneka Watkis-Porter of Grace to Grow Mentorship and Training Limited, and Dr. Sara Lawrence of Charis Women’s Wellness Centre.

Marketing innovation has also been spotlighted with nominees for the Barita Marketing Excellence Award including KFC, Juici Beef Ltd, FLOW and J. Wray & Nephew, all recognised for their creative and effective approaches to brand engagement and consumer connection.

Sharing his pride in achieving this milestone, JCC President Phillip Ramson stated, “Over the past 40 years, the JCC Awards have recognised the resilience, creativity, and leadership of our business community – capturing the evolving story of Jamaican business.”

Continuing, he added, “As we launch this 40th edition, we recommit ourselves to that mission. We invite our members, our partners, and our wider community to join us in celebrating those who are shaping the economic and social fabric of Jamaica.”

Scheduled for June 12, the 40th Annual JCC Awards will celebrate exceptional performance in business leadership, innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Held under the theme ‘Shaping the Future: Driving Productivity, Championing Equity, Inspiring Entrepreneurship’, the ceremony will bring together industry leaders, rising entrepreneurs, and public and private sector stakeholders to recognise excellence across Jamaica’s dynamic and evolving commercial landscape.