Michael Lee-Chin’s outstanding achievements in business and the depth of his philanthropic initiatives have earned him one of Jamaica’s highest National honors, the Order of Jamaica.
The Order of Jamaica is the fourth highest national honor and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honors system. Members are entitled to be styled Honorable and use the post nominal letters “OJ”. By an Act of Parliament, since 1969, Jamaica has recognized individuals, who by their service and contribution have had a meaningful and significant impact on national life.
The colorful investiture ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica on National Heroes Day, October 20, saw more than 100 Jamaicans and a few non-nationals being recognized and rewarded for remarkable achievements in various fields of endeavors.
Mr. Lee-Chin was recognized for his contribution to business and philanthropy. As he accepted his instrument of office from the country’s Governor General, Sir Kenneth Hall, his parents and other family members beamed with pride from their place among an audience of distinguished Jamaicans citizens.
In reacting to this recognition, Mr. Lee-Chin remarked, “It is often said that a man has no honor in his own country, so for me this is truly special. I will wear my insignia with utmost pride.”
Examples of Mr. Lee-Chin’s philanthropy include a handsome donation of $200 million from the National Commercial Bank’s Jamaica Education Initiative, donations to the University of Technology, Kingston and most recently the gift of the state-of-the art Hyacinth Chen School of Nursing to the Northern Caribbean University in the mid-island parish of Manchester.
The Chairman of Jamaican’s largest commercial bank, NCB, Mr. Lee-Chin also has investments in communications, media, real estate and medical facilities.
NCB’s Managing Director Patrick Hylton says Mr. Lee-Chin is a distinguished son of the soil who is very passionate about his country. “He is very deserving of the OJ,” he said.
Mr. Lee-Chin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the McMaster University and has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, having founded AIC Limited, the largest privately owned Mutual Fund Management Company in Canada.
Lee-Chin has received several other prestigious awards in the areas of business and community service including the 2004 International Humanitarian Award from the American Friends of Jamaica. He has also received honorary degrees from McMaster University, the University of Toronto, the Wilfrid Laurier University School of Business & Economics and the Northern Caribbean University, Manchester, Jamaica.
