our founder
The visionary, innovator and entrepreneur Philip Veira was the first of six children born in Orange Grove, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on August 14, 1921 to second-generation Portuguese immigrants Benedict Veira and Mary Lyn Veira (nee Gibson).
HISTORY
As a youngster, Phillip planted chives in his home garden and sold these on weekends and during his school vacation in order to contribute to his family’s income and at thirteen years old, he left school having only attained a Grade 6 education. Having observed his father working long hours in his “market shop” in Kingstown, young Philip had dreams of owning his own business.
Philip’s determination, tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit saw him open his first business, a grocery and liquor store in Kingstown in 1942. This business expanded to include a hardware store and later he was able to purchase real estate.
PASSION
Philip married his sweetheart, Clara (nee Medford) in 1943 and this union resulted in one eight children, one of whom was a son. Like so many of his day, he wished that he had more sons but would cheerfully resolve that, “God knows best”. Being courageous, passionate and not afraid of taking risks, Phillip invested in the manufacturing sector; a flour mill at Campden Park on the leeward coast of the island in 1977 and later P.H. Veira Plastics Limited in Calliaqua in 1980.
Not daunted by the criticisms for entering into manufacturing, Phillip proved all his detractors wrong, persevered and was able to broker a strategic partnership between Maple Leaf Mills Limited, the government of St. Vincent and his company, P.H. Veira and Company Limited. A partnership that has produced the immensely successful ECGC.
Sir Philip, a true son of the soil, was considered to be one of the wealthiest businessmen in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and contributed to numerous social causes, infrastructural projects and the Catholic Church. For his significant contribution to private sector development, he was knighted by Her Highness Queen Elizabeth II on July 27th, 1988.
Legacy
Sir Phillip enjoyed travelling, listening to gospel music, reading the Reader’s Digest magazine, which he often did while consuming his favourite local dish, the “one-pot-cook-up”. Many of his weekends were spent in the company of his friends playing cricket, fishing and gardening and during his later years, he would advise young people on the importance of saving. Sir Philip lost his battle to cancer on May 17, 1991. The memories of Sir Philip are a constant reminder that despite the challenges that may arise, having dedication and a determination to succeed can unlock limitless opportunities.
To have ended his academic pursuits at only thirteen years old but still rose to become a regional business giant is testimony of Sir Philip’s character and resolve. Sir Phillip’s legacy embodies the Orrison Swett Marden statement, “success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds”. Sir Philip Viera, a giant among men whose legacy lives on.