“Twenty five years ago there was a real culture of working late and you risked ruining family life. The reason why we work is to provide for our loved ones. But, if people aren’t happy with their work, then it’s probably going to be reflected in their home lives.”
This is an explanation from Mr. Douglas Orane, CEO Grace Kennedy, in an interview with the British newspaper The Voice, as to why he sent home his younger staff if he saw them at work after 7 p.m. This statement alone highlights why Grace Kennedy is such a success, while personifying the type of man Douglas Orane is and duly justifies his induction into the PSOJ Hall Of Fame.
Born in Kingston on December 8, 1947, Douglas Orane has been immersed in business from birth. His father, Douglas Claire Orane was a contractor and his mother Daisy Orane an accountant. It is quite evident then, that even before he took his first steps he has been a part of the business world. His introduction to business would come early as he recalls, “from about nine years old, I’d stay up quite late helping them with the figures, this was pre-calculator of course”. It seems business is in Douglas Orane’s blood as his younger sister Marguerite Orane was also oriented towards the business sector as she was the Deputy Chairman Workers Bank and Director Best Regards Limited at one point.
Douglas Orane received his schooling at Wolmers Boys where he said the experience made a difference in his life because it opened a sense of team work and self reliance. After leaving Wolmers, he went to Glasgow University because as he said ‘I wanted to get as far away from Jamaica as possible’. It took him 3 weeks to learn the language and described those years as some of the most vibrant. Douglas Orane left Glasgow with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and then went to London, where he worked for Tate and Lyle in a six month stint. However, his drive for knowledge led him to Harvard Business School where he obtained his Masters degree. It is this educational background that he has used to take Grace Kennedy forward. However, it is not only his education that has served Grace Kennedy so well but his vast experience. This includes being a Production Manager-Industrial Engineer Manufacturers Association 1970-71, Production Manager-Douglas C. Orane Ltd. 1971-74, General Manager-Douglas C. Orane Ltd. 1974-79, Corporate Planner 1981-83 and Managing Director-Hi-Lo Food Stores 1984-86.
Assuming the mantle of Executive Chairman of Grace in 1995, he embarked on an immediate mission to transform the largely distributive company into a financial led company. This was in a period where liberalization was creating competitive pressure on traditional distributors like Grace. It is no wonder then, why Grace Kennedy has emerged as one of Jamaica’s premier companies, reaching the $1 billion a year profit mark in 2003 and now focused on reaching the $2 billion mark.
Grace started out as a small family business in 1922, however, Mr. Oranes’ track record of superior management skills and leadership qualities, has transformed Grace Kennedy into a powerful conglomerate and it’s no surprise then what aspect of the company he admires. The fact that as he says “they stamped their ethical framework on the company back then…in terms of honesty, integrity and caring, we continue that tradition. Our motto is Grace-We Care”.
The PSOJ requires that inductees should have made “significant contributions to the development of the private sector and our country”, a requirement that Orane no doubt fills. In fact the PSOJ president, Beverly Lopez herself puts it aptly when she says “he has continually pursued excellence and has demonstrated superior leadership qualities and skills throughout his career”.
Apart from transforming Grace Kennedy he has made significant contributions to Jamaica in that, more recently, Orane served as president of the PSOJ for two terms (1992-94) where he became a fervent supporter for electoral reform. As an independent senator (1998-2003) he chaired a select committee on the companies’ act, which culminated in significant modernization of the bill passed this year (2004) by parliament. One of the highlights of his dossier is the Orane Report. A document produced by an appointed committee to reduce government waste that he chaired and which became ‘a metaphor for fiscal responsibility’ and saved public treasury US $3.5 million.
Although immersed in business, he enjoys jogging and hiking and is a member of the Constant Spring Golf Club. He also found time out of his busy career to meet Michelle Mowatt whom he married on December 30, 1972. He is the father of three, 1 son and two daughters.
Throughout his distinguished career and life he has received numerous accolades and awards. In 1997 he was Business Observers’ Business Leader and received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for his contribution to commerce and the private sector. It is only fitting then that he be inducted in the PSOJ Hall of Fame, as he has undoubtedly played a significant role not only in the growth and development of Grace Kennedy but in the growth and development of business and entrepreneurship as well as the development of Jamaica as a whole. Let us celebrate the genius of a corporate giant, husband and father of three, Mr. Douglas Orane.
|
