Custos Wants To Create Positive Pathways For Young People

Business executive, and youth mentor, the Hon. Ian Forbes, who will be officially installed as Custos of St. Andrew on May 12, wants to continue to create positive pathways for young people.

Mr. Forbes, who is the Managing Director of Sherwin Williams West Indies Limited, received his introduction to community involvement from the Scout Movement, in which his parents gave years of dedicated service to others, through the ‘Agents of Change’ group.

“It served very well. It taught you a lot about innovation, resourcefulness, commitment, dedication, and discipline. From an early age, it set the foundation for clarity on life choices,” the Custos says of the Scout Movement, during an interview with JIS News.

He said that despite many changes in the modern society, there is still “room for it”.

“To have our young people involved in activities, we need to get them organised,” Mr. Forbes said, adding that a large part of his tenure as Custos will be around youth development, and the growth of uniformed groups.

“Giving them the tools to lead from an early age, we need to create our leaders and facilitate their development, and these institutions will go a far way in enabling that process,” he said.

He noted that his time at Central Branch Primary School provided him a “wonderful experience” in the shaping of future developments, and to believe in possibilities for his country.

Mr. Forbes, who entered Jamaica College at age 11, said he is very connected to the all-boy educational institution, and that after studying at the then Mico Teachers’ College, he spent three years teaching English and Physical Education at his alma mater. He currently serves as Chairman of the Sport Committee at the school.

He said that among his proud moments in mentorship is the coaching of several successful sport stars, such as West Indies cricketer, Jimmy Adams.

The Custos captained the Sunlight Cricket team at Jamaica College for two consecutive years, leading it to two finals; represented the school in football (Under 16); ran the 800 and 1,500 metres, and competed at Boys’ Champs up to the semi-final meet in the 800 metres.

At his recent swearing-in at King’s House in St. Andrew, Governor-General, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, said Mr. Forbes was “well-suited” to be Custos, and that he will be leading the parish of St. Andrew at a challenging time.

“The task is possible because of his proven ability to manage large activities, mobilise individuals and achieve successful results,” he said.

The Custos has more than 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, as well as management. He spent the past 12 years at Sherwin Williams and received education at the University of the West Indies (Mona), and University of Technology.

He has served as Chairman of United Way of Jamaica; Executive Council Member of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation; Second Vice President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association; Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), and the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and as a member of both the Jamaica College Board of Governors and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Custos Forbes credits his father, who worked in the sugar industry, and his mother, who was a public servant, for nurturing him to give service to others, and for inspiring him and his siblings to value education and to give back to human causes.

Sharing that his farther served as a Justice of the Peace for close to 50 years, Mr. Forbes said he followed in his footsteps, and in 2008, “I was commissioned as a JP, and it has been a “very good experience, helping persons, especially the underserved”.

“I want to help in the transformation of lives, and to make Jamaica a better place, uplifting our fellow men and allowing them to participate in activities of their country,” Custos Forbes said.