Robert Kinlocke - more than 40 years in the shipping industry

Standing well over six-foot tall, Robert Kinlocke's height can be intimidating, but get to know him and you'll realise that the chief executive officer (CEO) of Gateway Shipping Limited is a gentle giant.

It was on August 31, 1970 that his illustrious career in the shipping industry began. The ambitious young man from Westmoreland learned through his older brother, who worked at Sprostons at the time, of a job opening at Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL). After being interviewed, he was hired as a clerk, with responsibility for tonnage reports and forklift contractors' payroll.

Young Kinlocke found that he was able to complete his tasks in three working days and set out to learn other areas of the business. "I decided, on my own initiative, to volunteer to go into the other departments, mainly the wharfage department to learn and they willingly accommodated me," Kinlocke recalled.

At the time of Kinlocke's entry into the shipping industry, GraceKennedy operated KWL. Since Kinlocke had joined the company fresh out of high school, he approached them for sponsorship to pursue studies in business. The company granted his request and he commenced studies at the College of Arts, Science and Technology, now known as the University of Technology.

Furthering his studies

After completing the two-year programme, Kinlocke opted to pursue further studies in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants programme. That pursuit was abandoned, however, in 1976 when GraceKennedy selected him and another colleague to enrol at the University of Wales to earn a degree in maritime studies. "I will be eternally grateful for what that company has done for my career," Kinlocke said.

Armed with his degree, he returned to Jamaica in 1979 and entered the management-trainee programme on the container terminal (now known as KCT Services Limited). He spent just over a year on the terminal, serving in managerial roles in the operations, planning and stevedoring departments before returning to KWL. He was also briefly seconded to the Port Authority to participate in a port development study funded by the USAID.

In 1981, he returned to KWL and was appointed general manager. A little over a decade later, he was promoted to managing director of KWL. During this time, he oversaw the merger of Western Terminals and KWL. "In the history of Kingston Wharves, I am the first person who started as a clerk and rose to the level of managing director," Kinlocke pointed out. "I give a lot of credit to Carlton Alexander, Rafael Diaz, Douglas Orane and Captain Michael Belcher."

Role as managing director

In his role as managing director, Kinlocke led the team in the modernisation of KWL to take advantage of the increase in container business. During that time, the company bought its first Gottwald crane.

Upon the retirement of Captain Belcher in 2001, Kinlocke returned to Kingston Terminal Operators, now known as KCT, as managing director.

Robert Kinlocke also served as director of several companies, including GraceKennedy Ltd, Kingston Wharves Ltd, Security Administrators Ltd, Harbour Cold Stores Ltd, Shipping Association of Jamaica, Kingston Terminal Operators Ltd, CMA CGM (Ja) Ltd, among others. He is currently a director of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.

In 2003, when GraceKennedy decided to sell its shipping business and leave the shipping industry, Kinlocke was offered the company's agencies. Backed by his years of experience in the industry, he took a leap of faith and purchased the businesses now known as Gateway Shipping International Limited, International Shipping Limited and RK Logistics Limited. He also has a minority interest in Allied Trucking & Maritime Services Limited. "I decided to include some of the then managers in some of the companies - Loxley Tulloch and Alva Wood," Kinlocke said.

"I am exceedingly happy I had taken up the offer to purchase the companies. It has worked very well for me," he added.

Open-door policy

Today, Kinlocke runs a successful business employing 46 persons.

The man who rose from a clerk to CEO says he maintains an open-door policy where staff is concerned and always has a listening ear for them. "I never forgot where I'm coming from."

With so much history embedded in his career, he's excited about the future. Kinlocke believes Jamaica has failed to take full advantage of its strategic location up to now. Therefore, the planned investment by the Chinese and the privatisation of KCT, he trusts, will augur well for the country. "I'm optimistic about the medium- to long-term future," Kinlocke said.

When Kinlocke isn't running his business, he makes time for his passions - watching football, playing dominoes and swimming. A proud family man, he is married to Beverley, who works in the family business along with two of the couple's four children. "I hope my children will be keen enough to continue with the growth and development of the business." he said.