Kelly Tomblin & Patrick Hylton are JIM’s 2016 Managers of the Year

Outgoing Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Tomblin, and National Commercial Bank (NCB) Group Managing Director, Patrick Hylton, are the 2016 Jamaica Institute of Management (2009) (JIM) Managers of the Year.

Mrs. Tomblin, who was appointed JPS head in 2012, was recognised for her pivotal role in strengthening the utility company’s relationship with its stakeholders and improving the entity’s overall operational efficiency and customer service.

Mr. Hylton, who has been NCB head since 2003, was awarded for notable achievements in areas such change management; credit and risk administration; organisational restructuring; and human resource development over his 30-year career.

He is also the recipient of the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) National Award for his contribution to the rehabilitation of Jamaica’s financial sector.

Mrs. Tomblin and Mr. Hylton, who were also appointed JIM Fellows, were presented with their awards by the Institute’s President, Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House on Tuesday, June 27.

The Governor-General, in commending the honourees, encouraged them to continue going “above and beyond, so that your visions and goals are achieved.”

He also lauded JIM for organising and positioning the annual awards as a vehicle to highlight the significant value of the managerial profession in business, community and national development and for honouring managers, who lead with the right actions and attitudes.

He noted that managers, who demonstrate passion, innovation and critical thinking skills serve as inspiration to others and contribute to the success of their organisations.

“As President of JIM, I am pleased that for 50 years we have been providing managerial professionals with the requisite and theoretical practical training to maximise their efficiency and effectiveness. In so doing, many managers from both the public and private sectors have become better leaders, who are achieving their organisational goals and championing the socio-economic development of Jamaica,” the Governor-General said.

He also urged that where the Institute’s management encounters challenges, these should be transformed into opportunities by “tapping into your creativity and innovativeness.”

The function also included the presentation of the 2016 George Phillip Memorial Scholarship, named in honour of one of the country’s noted business administrators, to University of Technology Jamaica (UTech) final-year Business Administration student, Nastasia Shields.

The Governor-General lauded JIM for its ongoing commitment to offer the scholarship, tenable at UTech, pointing out that “our young people are fully cognisant of the need for higher learning in this increasingly competitive world.”

He informed that over $9 million in scholarships and book grants were awarded to tertiary students in 2016 under the ‘I Believe Initiative’ and Summer of Service Competition, which are administered at King’s House, adding that consequent on financial challenges facing other persons, “we may have to do the same this year.”

Mrs. Tomblin, in her response, expressed gratitude for the recognition, while crediting the 1,700 members of staff of the JPS, who she describes as “the most committed Jamaicans in the world.”

Mr. Hylton said the award was a tribute to all who contributed to the many accomplishments “particularly during the last 14 years that I have been associated with National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited.”

For her part, Ms. Shields said she was “truly humbled and honoured” to have been selected for the 2016 George Phillip Memorial Scholarship.

“I intend to seize this opportunity wholeheartedly, without reservation, and strive for success while in the process of making you and my family proud for believing in me and for giving me a chance,” she declared.