Michael Lee-Chin is the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Hall of Fame inductee for 2022.

In a statement today (September 28), Lee-Chin is the 28th recipient of the prestigious honour awarded by the private sector entity. 

“After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the PSOJ Hall of Fame Banquet takes place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Ballroom on October 20, beginning at 6:30 pm,” the PSOJ indicated.

“Mr Lee-Chin joins the esteemed list of 27 distinguished inductees honoured by the PSOJ.  The list includes 2019 recipient, Thalia Lyn, founder and CEO of Island Grill; 2018 recipient Joseph Matalon, ICD Group Chairman; and 2017 recipient Richard Byles, the current governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ),” it added. 

Widely regarded as a visionary entrepreneur, Michael Lee-Chin was born in Port Antonio, in 1951, and immigrated to Canada in 1970, where he studied at McMaster University. He began his business career as an investment advisor and became one of the most successful investors in Jamaica and Canada.   

Lee-Chin is chairman of Portland Holdings, a privately held investment company that manages public equity and private equity, and has an ownership interest in a collection of diversified businesses operating in sectors that include financial services, insurance, media, tourism, agriculture, energy, consumer goods and services, and targeted radionuclide therapy.   

The brilliant and charismatic Portlander remains close to his roots in Jamaica having served in multiple capacities at the helm of local corporations. 

In 2016, Lee-Chin was appointed chairman of the Economic Growth Council (EGC), established by the Government of Jamaica to propose initiatives and sub-initiatives with the goal of yielding economic growth.  

The consummate philanthropist, Lee-Chin formally established Portland Holdings’ mantra – prosperitas cum caritate – which in Latin speaks to his goal that his businesses must “not only do well, but also do good.” 

In 2008, Lee-Chin received one of Jamaica’s highest honours, the Order of Jamaica, for his significant contributions to business and philanthropy.  

The PSOJ Hall of Fame was established in 1992. 

The award honours esteemed business leaders who have made significant contributions to the development of the private sector and Jamaica and pays tribute to three important traits- successful entrepreneurship, leadership, and character.