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He was a pioneer in the publishing field, a strong community leader and an innovative businessman and entrepreneur. Brian Uzzell was many things to many people, but he is best remembered as the stalwart leader of the Caymanian Compass newspaper, and its publishing house Cayman Free Press, guiding it through 40 years as the voice of the local community. Not only was Brian instrumental in developing the media industry, but the Cayman Islands as well. “In the early ’70s, I used to stress that we were a community newspaper, and we were there to help develop the Island, which I still believe we are,” Brian said in 2012 interview with The Journal. “That’s been my big aim and whatever we do, we’ve put back into the community,” he said. “We’ve reinvested and continue to do so; and reinvested not just in machinery, but in people.” The early years Originally from England, Brian moved to the Bahamas in 1969 to take on a role in marketing and public relations. He moved to Grand Cayman in 1972 to open an office for a client under a two-year contract. Part of his job was to do a feasibility study on the newspaper scene on-island, which included the Caymanian Weekly and the Cayman Compass – two different newspapers that had the same shareholders. In 1974, the two papers merged to become the Caymanian Compass, published under the auspices of Cayman Free Press. Brian Uzzell became the group general manager, and in 1976, managing director and majority shareholder of the company. Brian had his work cut out for him when it came to making the newspaper a viable business. When he took over, the company was mired in debt. After about four years, under his determined leadership, all creditors were paid in full, and he began to take the company in a new direction. Cayman Free Press grew tremendously under his leadership to not only include a daily newspaper but a commercial print division and a stable of special publications and websites. Investing in people Brian managed the company more as a family than a corporate entity. He had high regard for his employees and would often help them both personally and professionally, including investing in their training and education. Publisher Brian Uzzell was at the helm of the newspaper for four decades. “I’ve always treated them as a family and continue to do so and try and help out wherever necessary,” he said in a 2010 interview marking the 45th anniversary of the newspaper. “They have been the reason for our success. You have to have good people, and you have to treat them properly.” Long-time employee Jewel Levy said his kindness and generosity inspired loyalty from his workers. He also led by example. “He worked very hard,” Jewel said in a 2018 interview. “He was here at the crack of dawn. At one time, he was running the office, writing the paychecks. He was doing everything singlehandedly. He loved the Compass, and he loved the people of Cayman.” Stormy days While Brian faced many challenges in keeping the business a going concern, his darkest days came in September of 2004 when Hurricane Ivan hit. The powerful storm severely damaged the company’s offices, equipment and printing presses. The fallout hit the staff hard. “One of the most painful moments in my entire career here was having to just say to more than two-thirds of my staff, ‘I can’t employ you at the moment,’” he recalled. But the company rebounded, quicker than he had originally anticipated. It was able to produce a newspaper off-island at The Gleaner in Jamaica for several months – publishing its first issue just five days after the storm – until its presses were once again up and running. As business picked up, Brian was able to rehire most of those he’d had to let go. Changing times Brian suffered a heart attack in 2010 while playing field hockey and he subsequently cut back his hours at the Compass. In 2013, he sold the company to David and Vicki Legge, then owners of Pinnacle Publishing and Marketing. “It has been a long, challenging and very rewarding journey for me,” Brian said of the change over. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, particularly watching the company develop and grow through the years, but it is time for me to step down and move on. I am looking forward to my retirement.” Following a long illness, Brian Uzzell passed away on 30 Nov. 2018 at the age of 82 – leaving a legacy not only in the media industry but in the community. Brian noted in an interview that despite the challenges, he had no regrets. “I’ve enjoyed all of my life, every second of it,” he said. “Would I do things differently if I could go back? Yeah, probably a few, but overall, I’ve had a wonderful life here and I’m very appreciative of Cayman.”
