Duggan Consulting Limited

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020 14 DUGGAN CONSULTING LTD 50TH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGES FROM RESIDENT PARTNERS I T GIVES me great pleasure to add my congratulations to Duggan Consulting Limited on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. It is no small achievement to reach this remarkable milestone, particularly in this day and age. The firmhas overcome many challenges over the years. While I was in Jamaica, we suffered the devastating effects of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, both on the business (then RWatson & Sons (West Indies) Limited) and on the country. Both recovered and moved forward successfully. WORKING FOR the firm in Jamaica in the late 1980s was challenging and rewarding, developing skills and knowledge that it is unlikely that I would have acquired elsewhere. A particular example of the diversity of work was being able to achieve an equitable winding up of an estate that had remained intractable for many years. Working in Jamaica was a formative experience gained on such a beautiful island, and the memories have stayed with me. The resilience and adaptability of the firm have helped it achieve this auspicious landmark. Very many congratulations. PAUL GOULDING Resident partner 1987-1989 Many challenges overcome to get to 50 years I WAS the resident partner for RWatson & Sons in Jamaica between 1989 and 1993. At that time, we had clients across the Caribbean from Belize to Trinidad. MY EXPERIENCES were so different from anything I had ever met before; the chaotic airport arrivals hall and evening drive up through Mountain View Avenue; sitting in the office as an earthquake shook the ceiling tiles down; tropical rain; foreign exchange restrictions; planned power outages; fabulous tropical fruits and chicken with very hot peppers! Our clients were professional, hard-working, pragmatic and punctual. In sport, opponents were competitive, fair, and always willing to discuss the world over a follow-up Red Stripe! It was the most memorable and formative period inmy career. Whenever I think of Jamaica, I am filled with warm and happy memories and empathy for the country and people. Best wishes for the next 50 years! STEPHEN ELLIS Resident partner 1989-1993 Congratulations on reaching your 50th anniversary! MY WARMEST congratulations to Astor and his team on reaching their 50th anniversary. An in- credible milestone in a changing business world. I WAS resident partner from1984 to 1987 when the business was then R Watson & Sons and retained an involvement for many years after that. My days in Jamaica were wonderful. The warmth and work ethic of the Jamaican staff at that time, which included Astor, lives with me always. The work was challenging, as it should be, and a real pleasure. I recall with great pride some of the achievements as we outgrew our office in Barbados Avenue. Developing a finan- cial vehicle to protect thousands of small-scale coffee farmers against uninsured losses was just one highlight where I felt that we were able to give something tangible to a nation that warmly embraced our firm. My daughter was born in Jamaica and was proud to be Jamaican. I miss the reggae beat, and patties for lunch were always a joy. I even coped with the office girls who generously brought lunch onmy first day and giggled as I workedmy way through mannish water! The warmth of the sun, the vibrant colours, the organised chaos and, of course, Jamaican rum all enriched my experi- ence of life. I think often of Carreras Rothmans, Alcan (the scary plane that took me to their sites), Bank of Jamaica, the Coffee Industry Board and so many other clients it was a pleasure to serve. Congratulations to all at Duggan Consulting, and I wish you happiness and continued success for the future. PAUL BELCHER Resident partner 1984-1987 An incredible milestone in a changing business world