Lydian Memorial names Alyk Smith human resources director

Lydian Memorial has appointed Alyk Smith as Human Resource Director as the Jamaica-based memorial and custom-production company expands its workforce and operations. The role is designed to tighten hiring, training, workplace standards and culture across the business.

Why it matters: - Lydian Memorial is adding leadership to support a growing workforce, production capacity and service footprint across Jamaica. - The human resources role is central to how the company hires, trains and manages employees as it expands memorial, engraving, manufacturing and custom-signage operations. - The appointment is meant to reinforce workplace culture, safety, accountability and service quality.

What happened: - Lydian Memorial appointed Alyk Smith as Human Resource Director. - The announcement was made in Kingston, Jamaica, on September 15, 2026. - Smith will oversee recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, training, performance management, policy administration, personnel records, workplace standards and organizational development. - Smith will work with executive leadership and departmental directors on staffing, employee expectations and employment requirements.

The details: - Smith will develop and manage recruitment and hiring procedures. - Smith will create and maintain job descriptions, coordinate interviews and employment offers, and guide onboarding. - Smith will maintain confidential employee and personnel records. - Smith will administer workplace policies and the employee handbook. - Smith will coordinate orientation, training and professional development. - Smith will support performance evaluations and employee improvement plans. - Smith will manage attendance, conduct and disciplinary procedures. - Smith will address workplace concerns and employee-relations matters. - Smith will support compensation, benefits, recognition and retention initiatives. - Smith will prepare human resources reports for the CEO, President and Board. - Smith will coordinate workplace safety training with operations and production leaders. - Smith will advise executive leadership on staffing and organizational needs. - Lydian Memorial said the role will help build a professional, safe, respectful and accountable workplace. - Dr. Lydia Roxborough, Chief Executive Officer, said Alyk Smith will help build the policies, systems and workplace culture needed to support employees and families served by the company. - Roxborough said people are central to product quality and customer experience. - Smith said he is honored to serve in the role and wants to help create a workplace where employees are respected, trained, supported and held to clear standards.

Between the lines: - Lydian Memorial is tying human resources directly to operational growth, not treating it as an administrative function. - The company’s memorial work requires employees to handle families, private customer information, photographs, inscriptions, financial records and other sensitive materials. - That makes confidentiality, conduct and training a business issue as much as a personnel issue. - The appointment also signals a push for more formal systems as the company introduces new products, expands production and enters additional markets.

What's next: - Smith will help build employee systems that support future hiring, training and workforce planning. - The company will continue aligning performance management, safety instruction and workplace policies across departments. - Lydian Memorial’s leadership team will focus on growth in memorial products, precision engraving, customized manufacturing and business signage throughout Jamaica. - Smith will work with operations and production leaders to make sure employees are trained before using laser, CNC, engraving, finishing, lifting or installation equipment.

The bottom line: - Lydian Memorial is using a new human resources leader to professionalize its workforce as the company scales.