Lyttleton Shirley’s Legacy in Service and Family

It was an ordinary day at work for Lyttleton “Tanny” Shirley when he received news that would forever change his life.

He received a call from Ambassador Sandra Grant Griffiths notifying him that he is to receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ) for his sterling contribution to the public and private sectors.

“She asked me if I was sitting. It started as a normal day, but when she told me that I was going to be awarded an OJ, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” Mr. Shirley shares, his voice tinged with emotion.

The recognition was not just for him but for everyone who had supported him along the way – family, friends, and colleagues who believed in his vision.

Mr. Shirley’s professional story began in the late 1970s in the burgeoning auto supplies industry where he emerged as a pioneer, transforming perceptions and paving the way for many others, who continue to benefit from his trailblazing efforts today.

In the early days of Jamaica’s auto supplies sector, he saw an opportunity to change the game.

From Hagley’s Auto on Spanish Town Road to Mitchell’s Auto on Hagley Park Road, the businessman established one of the first companies to modernise the local auto parts industry, making it reliable and efficient.

“We wanted to show that spare parts could be more than just dirty, greasy items,” he recalled.

Mr. Shirley was not only a businessman but also a visionary who computerised operations and set new standards for quality service.

His work laid the foundation for many businesses that followed, proving that with passion and innovation, even the most traditional industries could thrive.

It was not long before the Government recognised Mr. Shirley’s unique eye for excellence and brought him over to the public sector, where he served as chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) for eight years.

Under his leadership, the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) underwent a remarkable makeover.

He championed the expansion of the dialysis unit, adding 17 haemodialysis machines, which provided hope and life-saving treatment to countless patients.

His vision did not stop there, as he led efforts to rehabilitate KPH’s infrastructure, which saw the hospital becoming a beacon of hope, complete with rehabilitated operating theatres and even the first chemotherapy unit in Jamaica’s public health sector.

“You can appreciate that KPH is a massive place, but we got it done,” he recalled with pride.

The transformation wasn’t confined to Kingston, as at Spanish Town Hospital tremendous work was done to establish a dialysis facility as demand for the service skyrocketed.

“My team and I at SERHA were able to successfully negotiate with one of Spanish Town’s leading businessmen to build this facility. He was eager to help, primarily due to the fact that his mother died at Spanish Town Hospital due to the lack of dialysis services… . In short order, with his full funding of not only building the facility but also equipping it, Spanish Town now had a dialysis centre… . Within a few months of operation, they were treating dozens of patients,” he expressed with deep satisfaction.

In 2016, Mr. Shirley shifted gears and took on the role of chairman at the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ), where he faced the challenges head-on.

His leadership turned the FCJ into a powerhouse of development, with projects like the Morant Bay Urban Centre, which is set to transform St. Thomas into an economic hub by December 2024.

“Who would have believed you can go to Morant Bay and convince investors to create a 10-billion-dollar development?” Mr. Shirley said, while reflecting on the scepticism he faced.

Mr. Shirley’s impact goes beyond bricks and mortar, as his philosophy centres on collaboration and community upliftment.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” he stated as he quotes John Maxwell.

Meanwhile, his colleague and Managing Director of the FCJ, Donald Farquharson, noted that Mr. Shirley’s humility and genuine concern for others have made him not just a leader but a mentor for many aspiring professionals in Jamaica.

“He inspires those around him to believe that all things are possible,” Mr. Farquharson added.

Mr. Shirley is happily married to Roxan Shirley, and they share a seven-year-old daughter, Nella Shirley.

He has two other daughters from his previous marriage.

He said his youngest child, Nella, inspires him to work towards a better Jamaica every day.

“I envision a Jamaica where my youngest daughter, Nella, who is just seven years old, can thrive and cultivate her inherent talents. I hope she becomes a source of inspiration for her peers and continues the legacy of giving back to our country,” he said with a smile.

His commitment to creating opportunities for future generations is palpable.

He sees his work as not just a career but a legacy that will pave the way for his daughter and countless others.

Mr. Shirley was also Chairman of the Kingston Free Zone, Director of Port Authority of Jamaica and Chairman of the Enterprise Team for Waste Management Divestment.

In 2005, he was nominated for the Jamaica Observer Business Leader Award and in 2017, he was recognised by the Government with an Order of Distinction (Commander).