Minister Ishmael pays tribute to master baker McDonald Nicholls

Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Davidson Ishmael has paid tribute to businessman and owner of Nicholls Bakery McDonald Nicholls who died last Friday at the age of 63.  Minister Ishmael described Nicholls as one of the island’s most industrious sons who made an outstanding contribution to manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

Below is the full  tribute:

The manufacturing community has lost one of its greatest pioneers and Barbados has lost one of its most industrious sons. Mr. McDonald Nicholls was one of the leading pioneers in the area of bread and pastry manufacturing having taken over the reins of his family business in 1995 at the age of 35. Therefore, he has ably led the firm over the last 28 years to become one of Barbados’ strongest manufacturing companies.  The Nicholls Baking Company is one of those few firms that became a household name by being able to reach the difficult-to-attain standard of its products being known and appreciated by both the young and the young-at-heart.

 

There is no greater example of his industrious, pioneering ability than that which is observed in the rapid expansion of his company across the length and breadth of our island.  Mr. Nicholls was able to take his company from one location in Bibby’s Lane to a noteworthy nine locations at its peak – located from the north to the south of our island.  In fact, it is almost impossible to go very far without coming across one of the Nicholls locations.  Furthermore, the locations themselves reflect a high degree of creativity and innovation in that, instead of the typical brick and mortar establishment, Mr. Nicholls saw a vision in the utilization of containers to create his several depots across the island, in locations that, to the naked eye, would at first appear unsuitable for a business of this type, but it is clear that he had a vision that was beyond that of most.

 

On a personal note, in my professional career I have had the opportunity to interact with many business people in this island.  My first encounter with Mr. Nicholls took place close to a decade ago when he engaged the services of one of the businesses with which I was affiliated.  It was in that and subsequent encounters that I grew to appreciate not only the outward appearance of a solid businessman, but I gained an intimate ‘insider’ knowledge of just how professional, how visionary, and how astute of a businessman he was in the running of the affairs of this company that he clearly and demonstrably loved.

 

Beyond that, as a community practitioner, I also had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Nicholls when seeking to receive some donations of his products for multiple community events that I have staged over the years.  Mr. Nicholls was always willing to support community ventures and I have learned that this has become a trademark of his business approach where he was charitable even as he sought to ensure his business was successful.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand and to give off his product to any event that would have a positive impact on our communities.

On the behalf of the Prime Minister, the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, myself as the Minister responsible for Industry, the wider Cabinet and the people of Barbados, we wish to thank and applaud Master Baker McDonald Nicholls for his stellar contribution, not only to the pastry and bread manufacturing industry in Barbados, but also to the entrepreneurial and business community of our island.  His approach to business, his dedication to his over 100 employees, his hard work, his charity, and his commitment to growth and expansion will continue to be an exemplar for all of our businesses and entrepreneurs to follow.

To his wife and their five children, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to you.  Please know that our prayers are with you for God’s strength, comfort, and peace during this most difficult time.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

 

Photo: Mr McDonald Nicholls: Nicholls Bakery (FB)