Wayne Chen has been featured in several publications as one of the richest and most influential Jamaican businessmen. Several publications estimate his net worth to be in the millions of dollars. One publication says he is worth $1 billion.
He is the younger brother of Michael Lee-Chin, the wealthy Jamaican businessman who made his fortune through investments in financial firms like the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica and AIC Limited.
Chen serves as the CEO of Super Plus Food Stores, the largest retailer in Jamaica, according to the Jamaican. The venture has about 30 stores across the island.
Super Plus Food Stores was started as a family business by Hyacinth Gloria Chen, mother of both Chen and Lee-Chin. The matriarch started the business with her husband, Vincent. Since then, it has grown to become Jamaica’s largest retail store with Chen now in charge of it.
“Super Plus was a consolidation of the family businesses in 1992 when we brought five family-owned businesses together. We expanded it over the years, and at its peak, it was easily Jamaica’s largest retailer,” Chen told Jamaica-Gleaner.
“We employed about 2,600 people and were involved in retail, remittances, money exchange, logistics, and manufacturing,” he added.
Chen has served as a director of NCB (Cayman) Limited, AIC (Barbados) Limited, and the Christmas Town Centre Limited, according to the Jamaican. He has also served as a director of the National Commercial Bank and Victoria Mutual Building Society.
What is more, he also served as Chair of the Southern Regional Health Authority. He became the President of the Caribbean Employers Confederation, a member of the CARICOM HR Development Commission, and an Employer Representative of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
In 2018, he resigned from the board of NCB Financial Group Limited. He has served on other entities like West Indies Trust Company Limited, NCB Insurance Company Limited, NCB Trust Limited Company, and NCB Capital Markets Cayman.
Also, he is a past Chairman of Jamaica’s Urban Development Corporation and National Land Agency, as well as the National Gallery of Jamaica. He has also been a director of the National Commercial Bank and Victoria Mutual Building Society.
In 1998, Chen was named the Jamaica Observer’s Business Leader of the Year. In 1997, he was named the Jamaican Institute of Management’s Young Entrepreneur. He is also the co-author of ‘Reggae Routes: The Story of Jamaican Music’ published by Temple University Press.
Born in Port Antonio and the third of nine children, Chen obtained his first degree in law from the University of the West Indies. He was also the head boy of DeCarteret College.
