Jardim joins MoBay Chamber’s Wall of Fame

WESTERN BUREAU:

Brian Jardim, whose journey across multiple industries has not only built an enviable career but also touched countless lives, is the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Leader Wall of Fame inductee for 2024.

Jardim, founder and president of Rainforest Caribbean, was celebrated during a star-studded award-ceremony Saturday night at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The 12th awardee of this prestigious recognition, Jardim joins his late father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, on the Chamber’s walls.

As he accepted the honour, he reminded the packed ballroom, which included his family, staff, business partners and well-wishers, of the values that have guided him.

“Hard work, resilience, and community spirit, with Montego Bay as my foundation,” he shared, adding that the tourism capital continues to be a beacon of inspiration for entrepreneurs and a testament to the transformative power of vision and compassion.

Jardim’s connection to Montego Bay spans nearly 40 years. From his early days in 1985 as part of the Sandals Montego Bay team to meeting his wife Shelagh, a native Montegonian, Jardim has built both his life and business in the city.

In 1995, he partnered with businessman Ian Dear to transform an old waterfront restaurant into the now-iconic Margaritaville franchise. After 15 years, he sold his share to focus on what would become his best investment to date: Rainforest Seafoods.

Recounting the humble beginnings of Rainforest Seafoods in 1997, then a 1,500 sq. ft. space in Montego Freeport with two freezer containers, a single delivery van, and a tiny office, he said, “Today, Rainforest has grown into a regional powerhouse operating in five countries, employing over 1,000 team members, and exporting to more than 30 countries globally”.

Speaker after speaker, including his sons, Maxwell, Benjamin and Zakary, and his brother, Adam Stewart, shared heartfelt tributes to the man they hail as a transformative leader and a beacon of hope.

“My big brother, you are so deserving of this exceptional recognition, and it speaks volumes about the man you are. Your journey has been truly an amazing one and one for the history books. And I can tell you it’s been memorable to watch you build Rainforest into what it is today,” Adam said in addressing his older sibling.

Jardim’s friend, Peter Melhado, who loaned him the first $100,000 towards the start of the business, spoke of a man who sees no limits and is a big thinker.

“He leads from the front. He is never gonna push that rope, he is gonna pull it,” said National’s Butch Hendrickson, a board member.

Rainforest began with nothing more than a dream and Brian’s relentless drive. Today, it’s a household name and a testament to his hard work,” said National’s Butch Hendrickson, a board director.

Loved and admired by his staff, Rainforest’s general manager, Jerome Miles summed up his unwavering support of his boss, noting that he was not just a businessman.

“He knows what success looks like and works tirelessly to achieve it,” said Miles, pointing out that at times Jardim’s compassion for his people conflicts a little bit with what he wants to achieve in business, but the compassion for his people always trumps everything.

“He’s an innovator, a philanthropist, and a mentor. His legacy is well and truly set.”

The legacy Miles spoke of are his three sons who now work in the business.

“I was seven or eight years old when I first started packing shrimp. He would send me around back to load trucks, picking up bags as heavy as myself,” his youngest, Zakary quipped.

In fact, Jardim knows no limit, his staging of the Rainforest Seafood Festival multiple years, has resulted in donation of over $10 million to Cornwall Regional Hospital. He is also a patron of the University of the West Indies 5K annually.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

OTHER AWARDEES

• Twist – People’s Choice Award – Most Popular Event

• Crazy Neil – Most Popular Disc Jockey

• Jamaica Public Service – Outstanding Customer Service

• Bird Shack – New Investment

• National Supply – Corporate Partner

• Tai Flora Luxe – Hospitality Services Partner

• Unique Vacations Limited – Most Outstanding BPO

• Dr Paulette Tai Hossman – Female Business Leadership

• Main Street – Outstanding Contribution to Tourism

• New Fortress – Corporate Social Responsibility

• Shari Munroe – Young Entrepreneur

• Acculab – Best Start Up

• Appreciation to Outstanding Media Partners, including Horace Hines (Jamaica Observer; Ashley Anguin (The Gleaner), Garnet Beckford (TVJ), Philip Green (Western Mirror) and Shamir Brown (Jamaica Observer)

• Tourism Enhancement Fund – President’s Special Award

• Paulette Neil – Most Outstanding Director

• Kerwin Hamil – Most Supportive Director