THE SUNDAY GLEANER, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 | FEATURE1 A1 SECTION I START SECTION LABEL THE RJRGLEANER Communications Group, and Jamaica’s wider media fraternity, are mourning the sudden loss of its chief executive officer, Anthony Smith, a leader whose quiet strength, integrity, and people-centred approach left a lasting imprint on the organisation and the people he served. Smith, who died on December 14, 2025, after a brief illness, was sixty-one. Appointed chief executive officer in January 2024 after joining the group as deputy CEO for print and digital services in October 2022, Smith led RJRGLEANER during a period of significant transition. Colleagues, board members, and staff alike have described him as a disciplined and Leader defined by character PLEASE SEE SMITH, I 3
THE SUNDAY GLEANER, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 | FEATURE1 I 4
THE GLEANER, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | ADVERTISEMENT A5 Jamaica has lost a distinguished leader, strategist, and nation-builder with the passing of Anthony E. Smith, a man whose professional life was marked by depth, range, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Anthony’s career spanned multiple pillars of Jamaica’s economic and corporate landscape. He was widely respected not only for his stewardship of major media institutions, but for his leadership across telecommunications, technology, and regional enterprise. Wherever he served, he brought clarity of thought, strong governance instincts, and a steady hand to complex organisations operating in fast-changing environments. Those who worked with Anthony understood that he possessed a rare ability to see the full system, to understand how business, technology, communication, and public trust intersect. He approached leadership with discipline and purpose, believing that strong institutions are built on sound strategy, ethical conduct, and people who are empowered to perform at their best. His influence was felt not just in boardrooms, but in the operational realities of organisations navigating transformation and growth. Anthony also gave meaningfully to national service. As the RJRGLEANER Communications Group’s representative on the Council of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), he contributed to shaping private-sector dialogue at the highest level. His counsel reflected broad executive experience and a deep appreciation for Jamaica’s development challenges. He was thoughtful, balanced, and solutions-oriented, bringing perspectives informed by years of senior leadership across industries. What set Anthony apart was not only what he accomplished, but how he carried himself. He was measured, respectful, and principled, engaging others with quiet confidence and intellectual generosity. He listened carefully, spoke deliberately, and earned trust through consistency and integrity. In moments of complexity or debate, his presence helped ground discussions in practicality and long-term thinking. Above all, Anthony E. Smith believed in the importance of leadership that serves a larger purpose. He understood that corporate success and national progress are deeply linked, and he committed his talents to advancing both. His legacy is one of service, professionalism, and impact, felt across sectors and across borders. As Jamaica reflects on his passing, we honour a life that strengthened institutions, elevated discourse, and helped shape the modern business landscape. Anthony E. Smith will be remembered as a leader of substance, breadth, and quiet distinction. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
THE GLEANER, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | ADVERTISEMENT A9
THE GLEANER, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | ADVERTISEMENT A12
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