30/01/2026
Poverty Inspired Rise of Brave Group, Says CEO Wesley Roy
By MELTON PAIS
For Roy, business is not just about making money. It started from seeing poverty and wanting to change lives.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Brave Group PNG Limited, Roy says the hardship he saw every day in Port Moresby pushed him to start his own business.
Growing up in the city, Roy saw many young people without jobs.
Many were involved in petty crimes, not because they wanted to, but because they had no skills, no work, and no opportunities.
He calls these problems “poverty traps”.
“Unemployment, crime and lack of skills are connected,” Roy says.
“When people have no opportunities, poverty takes over.”
This understanding led him to start Brave Group.
Like many Papua New Guineans, Roy believed that education was meant to lead to office jobs or government work.
Going into business was not something he planned.
But when he struggled to find employment himself, he decided to try something new.
His first company was Brave Security Firm.
The aim was clear, to train and employ disadvantaged youths who were out of school and without jobs.
The company gave them skills, discipline, and a steady income.
For many young people, it was their first real opportunity in life.
After the success of the security company, Roy went on to start Brave Motors and later Brave Construction.
Over time, Brave Group grew into one of the country’s leading local business groups.
Today, Brave Motors is one of the biggest car dealerships in Papua New Guinea.
Roy says Brave Motors operates differently from other car dealers.
Instead of copying others, he looked for gaps in the market.
The company began importing V8 Toyota Land Cruisers from Japan, which were not widely available before.
It also brings in hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Harrier from Singapore, which run on both fuel and electricity. Slowly, the company is moving from selling used vehicles to brand-new ones.
Roy admits that starting a business is not easy.
The first two years, he says, are the hardest.
People doubt you, laugh at your ideas, and do not believe in your vision.
“When you start, no one believes in your dream,” he says.
“But it is your dream, so you must hold onto it and never give up.”
Beyond business success, Roy says his main goal is to help people escape poverty and crime.
Brave Group continues to create long-term jobs and business opportunities for Papua New Guineans.
He also believes strongly in living by Christian values.
Roy says there is no difference between business and ministry for him.
He applies the same Christian principles in the workplace, teaching discipline, respect, and good character.
At the end of the day, Roy says he wants to be remembered not as a rich businessman, but as a leader with a servant’s heart someone who helped others and inspired them to believe that change is possible.
