Distinguished public servant, educator, and reformer, Robert L Gregory, has died.

Gregory died at home on Tuesday, surrounded by family.

Gregory’s career was marked by unwavering dedication to advancing education, national development, and public sector reform in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

His legacy is one of visionary leadership and a steadfast commitment to education and national development. Gregory’s contributions have left an indelible mark on Jamaica’s educational and developmental landscape.

As the former Executive Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Gregory played a pivotal role in shaping Jamaica’s technical and vocational education landscape. He co-authored the 2014 CARICOM Regional TVET Strategy, emphasising the importance of skills training in regional development. 

Transforming Caribbean education 

Gregory contributed significantly to policy discussions aimed at transforming Caribbean education. Notably, he participated in the University of the West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s Forum, where he advocated for the integration of UNESCO’s four pillars of learning into educational systems to enhance equity and effectiveness.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gregory was a respected leadership coach and mentor, known for his insightful contributions to leadership discourse in Jamaica. From 2012 to 2016, he served as Chairman of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), where he led significant reforms to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in the issuance of firearm licenses. 

Under his leadership, the FLA implemented measures to reduce application backlogs, improve customer service, and strengthen regulatory oversight. Gregory also served as President and CEO of Jamaica Trade and Invest, now known as JAMPRO, from 2007 to 2009. 

During his tenure, he spearheaded initiatives to attract foreign direct investment and promote Jamaican exports, including the establishment of the Caribbean Business Club to foster international business networking opportunities. 

Gregory emphasised the importance of leveraging Jamaica’s cultural and creative assets to enhance the nation’s competitiveness in the global market. He is survived by his wife, Joy, and his six children.