Phillip Henry: ‘A quiet, strongman who stood tall on principles’

PHILLIP HENRY was a man of quiet resolve and immense impact. If you did not know him well, you might mistake his calm demeanour for being a pushover, but those who worked with him knew better. Henry’s career in the Jamaican and regional shipping industry wasn’t marked by grand speeches or headline-making moments; it was defined by his actions and the duty he brought to every role he assumed.

His journey in the industry began in 1965 as chief accountant at Port Services Limited, when port operations were a far cry from the mechanised systems of today. Handling payrolls for hundreds of workers and overseeing the company’s finances, he operated behind the scenes — calm, methodical, and ever-alert. As the port’s operations shifted to Newport West in the 1970s, so did his influence. He expanded Port Services’ operations into port equipment and container services, helping the company become an important player in the region. By 1983, now as managing director, Henry led with a vision for modernisation, procuring state-of-the-art equipment and securing ISO 9002 certification, a milestone for Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean.

Colleagues described a sharp-witted, detail-oriented leader, especially when it came to negotiations.

A friend of decades, Alva Woods, said Henry was a “quiet, strongman who stood tall on principles” to whom he pays tribute for his “long and fiercely loyal service”.

“He was a no-nonsense leader but quite approachable/sociable with a good sense of humour; a keen listener who would school you on the dos and don’ts of port operations. He was a tough and shrewd negotiator who was very knowledgeable in industrial relations matters,” said Woods, managing director of Allied Trucking and Maritime Services Limited.

Yet, beyond his professional rigour, Henry’s heart was with his people. He was a strong believer in education, ensuring his staff received opportunities to study both locally and internationally.

“Phillip believed in training and would fully support upskilling and retraining of staff, which would benefit them and the company. I, myself, was a beneficiary, like others on the port today, of his support to training,” Woods said.

His devotion to the industry extended beyond Port Services Ltd. For over 20 years, Henry served on several committees of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), shaping labour relations, operational standards, and the welfare of port workers. His role as trustee of the Kingston Port Workers Superannuation Fund and the SAJ Staff Pension Fund showcased his devotion to securing a better future for those on the port.

His influence spread to the wider Caribbean as well. He contributed to the Training Trust Fund of the Caribbean Shipping Association and remained an active participant in regional maritime affairs even after retirement.

Outside of shipping, he quietly built a business with close friends, co-founding Slick Chick, a fast-food chain that became a staple in St Catherine and Kingston, which his colleague and friend Condell Stephenson described as a popular spot for port workers.

Stephenson, port captain for Hoegh Autoliners, said he made Henry’s acquaintance in the early 1980s through the Jaycees Movement, which later extended to a working relationship through his employment. “I remember him as a very hard negotiator, as it was not easy for me to get a reduction in truck hireage rates for Kingston Terminal Operators Limited. We also worked closely as trustees of the SAJ Staff Pension Fund.

“Phillip had a very quiet and very unassuming disposition. If you thought he was a walkover, you did it at your own peril,” he said, noting that “honesty and integrity was the hallmark of Phillip Henry”.

He is remembered as a man of solutions by former SAJ General Manager Alvin Henry, who said labour management was challenging on the port, but Phillip was “always ready and willing with suggestions, which led to their close working relationship. “Phillip was a colleague who became a good friend. As a manager of a stevedoring company, he played a major role in the successful management of stevedores at Port Bustamante. His knowledge and active participation in port operations was pivotal, and contributed to the maintenance of harmonious industrial relations on the port over the years. We share similar beliefs regarding work and family that spawned the friendship which carried through to our retirement years.” Henry said it is difficult to say what he will miss most in his friend, but shared that he greatly appreciated Phillip’s honesty, trustworthiness and dependability.

Dionne Mason-Gordon, his friend and SAJ operations manager – Member Services, said Henry “was a beloved figure in the industry and enjoyed a remarkable career, much of which I am honoured to have shared. He was a man of integrity, exemplary leadership, and mentorship. He was a guiding light and inspired those around him to aim constantly for greater things, professionally and personally.

“He was an unassuming man. Small in stature but skilled at navigating the complexities of this sector. Beyond Phillip’s professional accomplishments, I admired his ability to build strong relationships and a positive work environment,” Mason-Gordon continued.

She added: “I know that his mentorship has guided countless individuals in their careers, and his legacy will continue to influence them for years to come. I want to share my heartfelt gratitude to Phillip for the sincerity and warmth of his friendship. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.”

“Gone but not forgotten. May his soul rest in peace,” Woods memorialised.