Adrian Lee-Chin, the son of Jamaican billionaire and major shareholder in NCB Financial Group and NCB Jamaica Limited, has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the board of both entities.

This comes less than a year after he was parachuted into the directorship to help build his father’s NCB empire.

In an advisory to the Jamaica Stock Exchange, where its shares are traded, the regional banking group advised that the junior Lee-Chin is taking a leave of absence from the Boards of NCB Financial Group Limited and National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited.

The advisory states that the duration of absence is not known at this time, but Lee Chin has advised that he will use this time to focus on pressing personal issues. Adrian Lee-Chin began his career in 1996 at Portland Holdings Inc., which is also majority owned by his father.

He has held numerous roles throughout his career ranging from marketing fulfillment and customer support, to becoming a full-time investment analyst and business manager. Lee Chin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Western Ontario.

He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and is also a chartered financial analyst.

Shareholders uneasy about situation

Some shareholders are viewing this development with unease, especially given the many unknowns about the matter and how long the junior Lee Chin will be away from the board.

NCB Financial Group Limited was incorporated in April 2016, as the financial holding company for National Commercial Bank Jamaica. It is the largest and most profitable financial services group in Jamaica, with roots dating back to 1837.

The NCB Group includes NCBJ, NCB Capital Markets Limited and its subsidiaries in Barbados and Cayman, NCB Insurance Agency and Fund Managers Limited, NCB (Cayman) Limited, Clarien Group Limited and its subsidiaries in Bermuda, Guardian Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries as well as NCB Merchant Bank (Trinidad and Tobago) Limited in Trinidad and Tobago.