Garet 'Tiger' Finlayson
Garet ‘Tiger’ Orlanda Finlayson OBE (born 4 August 1937 in Long Bay Cay, Andros) is a Bahamian business magnate.
The son of a tailor, Finlayson, is the most successful black businessman in the Bahamas. Finlayson owns more than half the businesses on Bay Street, the Bahamas’ leading shopping street.[1] Previously, Bay Street was wholly owned by white business merchants known as the Bay Street Boys.
Finlayson owns leading Bahamian businesses Solomon Mines (luxury retail goods), Burns House and Butler & Sands (liquor stores). Over the years, Finlayson’s business concerns have included car dealerships, hotels, and furniture, office products and restaurant businesses.[1]
Finlayson’s recent acquisition of Solomon Mines, however, has been reportedly less than successful with the closing of four of 11 Bay Street shops,[2] coinciding with a downturn in the street's fortunes.
A philanthropist, Finlayson has donated millions of dollars in scholarships, to allow young people to attend university, something Finlayson himself never did.[1]
In 1999, Finlayson was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the economic growth and development of the Bahamas.[3]
Finlayson is married to wife Rowena Frances Finlayson [née Rolle], with whom he has four children: Tanya Tynes,[4] Rae, Nikki Boeuf,[2] and Mark Finlayson.[1]
References
External links
- Garet Tiger Finlayson at Samana College website