multi-million dollar enterprise, one might think that Ward Young would have been content to rest on his laurels. That however, was not to be the case. As primary owner of the Bermuda Drug Company Limited (BDC) with his wife, Kim, Mr. Young has taken it from strength to strength in a manner in which W.J.

Young, his grandfather and the founder of BDC, would have been proud. First a student at Saltus Grammar School, Mr. Young continued his education in Canada, first at Ridley College in St. Catherine's, Ontario before heading on to McGill University. On his return to Bermuda, he went straight to the Annex, building a busy hobby centre before being promoted to store manager. With his guidance, the Annex developed as an important part of the BGA, eventually becoming the leading toy and greeting card shop on the Island. Later transferred to the Bermuda General Agency, he was made its manager. Just as he did with the Annex, Mr. Young guided the BGA, developing it into the largest distributor of health and beauty aids, pharmaceuticals and drug sundries on the Island. He took over as president and CEO of the BDC, spearheading its growth which saw the addition of Weldon Limited and Purvis Distributors Limited to BDC Limited in 1991 and 1992 respectively. It was in 1990, that under Mr. Young, the company decided that the buildings which housed the Phoenix Drug Store and the Annex were in need of a complete overhaul. Both were knocked down and rebuilt and the Phoenix Drug Store moved to join the Annex in Reid Hall, just across the street. The Phoenix Centre opened in 1990 and, after seven years, Mr. Young decided it was time for another change. "We decided to refit the whole store to provide a terrific Bermuda shopping experience,'' he said. "We moved the Hallmark cards upstairs with the Bookmart so that there is now kind of a library ambiance with soft music playing. The bookstore looks a lot like US book stores and it will hopefully convince people that they don't have to go abroad, especially since we sell our hardbacks at US or retail prices. "Downstairs, in the drug store, what's most significant is the revamping of the cosmetics department which offers a wider variety than most drug stores in the world. The magazine display is clearer, so it's easier to look at and find what you're looking for and Tom Nelmes, in the Annex, has really gone out for the best.'' Today, BDC incorporates the Bermuda General Agency Limited, Weldon Limited, Magazine Distributors and Purvis Distributors Limited. Collectively known as the BGA Group of Companies, they represent Bermuda's leading food, health and beauty aid distributors, servicing the Island's supermarkets, hotel shops, pharmacies and variety stores. On the board of directors of many successful companies around the Island including the Bank of Bermuda, Mr. Young serves as president and CEO of BDC Ltd., president and CEO of BGA Limited, president of Purvis Distributors Limited, president of Property Holdings (Mills Creek) Limited, president of Rural Hill Plaza Limited and vice president of Reid Hall, the location of the Phoenix Centre. Citing one of his interests as the `people, the community and Bermuda', Mr. Young has contributed much to Bermuda as a community, serving on many charitable boards and trusts and devoting much time to the United Bermuda Party where he most recently served as chairman of the UBP Campaign Committee in 1993. PHOTO The Phoenix Centre Kim and Ward Young BDC President and CEO, Ward Young PHOENIX BUSINESS BUC