Statement by HE the Governor Martyn Roper

I warmly congratulate all those who have received awards in Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year Honours List announced this evening in the UK. I am also very pleased to confer a Certificate and Badge of Honour on a number of members of our community who have excelled in their fields. 

Former Premier Alden Mclaughlin receives a Knighthood (KCMG) from Her Majesty for his services to the people of the Cayman Islands. This is an outstanding personal achievement for former Premier McLaughlin, one of the most important and impactful political leaders in Cayman over the last 21 years. It is a significant moment for our islands. This historic award is only the second ever Knighthood to a Caymanian since the first in the 1990s. It is a strong signal of the respect in which Cayman is held and a visible demonstration of the progress Cayman has made as a vibrant democracy with strong good governance foundations. 

The award reflects former Premier McLaughlin’s distinguished Parliamentary and Ministerial career over 21 years with two successful terms as Premier, ushering in a period of stability, economic growth and sound financial management. Former Premier McLaughlin made important contributions to Cayman’s constitutional development, including significant advances in 2019 reinforcing Cayman’s autonomy over domestic affairs. He led a step change in Cayman’s representation on the global stage, including robust support for Cayman’s highly successful and dynamic financial services industry. He enjoyed constructive relationships with UK Ministers, earning their respect and trust, working tirelessly to do his utmost for the people of Cayman. In 2020, he was the pivotal figure leading Cayman’s response to the Covid pandemic. 

I hope that everyone on our islands will put politics to one side today and join with me in recognising that this is an excellent day for Cayman. It is an achievement we can all celebrate. 

I also congratulate Ms. Lucille Seymour (For services to Sport, Education and the people of the Cayman Islands) and Ms. Sharon Smith (for services to the former Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands) who received MBEs and Mrs. Natalie Coleman (For services to Arts and Culture in the Cayman Islands and wider region) who received a BEM from Her Majesty in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their fields. 

In addition, it is my privilege as Governor to announce Certificate and Badge ofHonour awards for outstanding service to our community. Due to the remarkable contribution of so many people in Cayman to the successful management of the global pandemic, I have again made a larger number of awards than has been the practice in previous years.

2021 has been another trying year and so many people on our Islands have delivered exemplary service to our community. The 44 people recognised today for their work during the Covid- 19 pandemic were involved in the early operations of Travel Cayman, played key roles in developing the Government’s Phased Reopening of the Borders Plan and delivered the Public Health response. This list includes people from all three Islands which I believe is a first for Cayman. I am also pleased to make some awards for services rendered to the financial services sector and the media for the outstanding contribution made by these sectors during the global pandemic.

The number of awards made reflects the unprecedented nature of the global pandemic and the outstanding contribution of so many individuals. 

I am therefore pleased to announce awards to the following individuals in recognition of their exceptional service: 

For meritorious services rendered during the COVID Pandemic:

Programme Board, Programme Management Office and Advisors 

1. Mr Albert Anderson, CEO, Cayman Islands Airport Authority 

2. Mrs. Mary Rodrigues, Chief Advisor, Office of the Deputy Governor 

3. Ms. Cetonya Cacho, Chief Officer, Ministry of Education 

4. Mr Stran Bodden, Chief Officer, Ministry of Tourism and Transport 

5. Mrs. Christine Rowlands, Head of Governor’s Office

6. Mr Matthew Hylton, Acting Deputy Chief Advisor, Office of the Deputy Governor 

7. Ms. Sarah Murphy, Senior Advisor, Office of the Deputy Governor 

8. Ms. Kara Coe, Programme Manager, Office of the Deputy Governor 

9. Ms. Tiffani Straker, Senior Advisor, Office of the Deputy Governor 

10. Mr Jason Webster, Deputy Chief Officer, Cabinet Office 

11. Mrs. Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism 

12. Mrs. Jondo Obi, Director, Cayman Islands Red Cross 

13. Mr Dan Haydon, Business Relationship Manager, Computer Services. 

14. Mrs. Nicoela McCoy, Deputy Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority 

15. Mrs. Kimberly Bullings, Clerk of the Cabinet 

Royal Cayman Islands Police Service

16. Inspector Roje Williams 

Customs and Border Control

17. Mr Ezron Anderson, Acting Assistant Director CBC

Government Communications

18. Ms. Gina Matthews, Manager, Public Relations Services, Ministry of Tourism And Transport 
19. Ms. Oneisha Richards, Director of Communications 

Cayman Islands Airports Authority

20. Ms. Bianca Moore Downey, Chief Commercial Officer

21. Mr Andrew McLaughlin, Chief Safety Management Officer

22. Mr Alvin Haylock, Customer Service Officer

Department of Environmental Health

23. Mr Derrick Williams, Environmental Health Officer 

Travel Cayman (Operational Team)

24. Mr Oshane Johnson, Supervisor, Tech Department- Cayman Islands Regiment 

25. Ms Paulette Johnson, Manager, Private Flight Specialist, Cayman Airways 

26. Ms Dawn Manderson, Manager, Travel Management, Cayman Airways 

For legal services rendered to the Cayman Islands Government 

27. Ms. Elizabeth Lees, Attorney 

Health Services Authority

28. Mr Steven Duval, EMS Manager 

29. Mr Jonathan Smellie, Forensic Analyst 

30. Ms. Carvell Bailey, Community Health Nurse 

31. Ms. Nola Sanderson, Executive Secretary 

32. Ms. Carissa Mclaughlin, Business Coordinator 

33. Mr Timothy Mclaughlin, Public Health Surveillance Officer 

34. Ms. Ralston Dilbert, Support Services Manager, Faith Hospital, Cayman Brac 

35. Nurse Charmaine Coore, Little Cayman 

36. Nurse Kedine Hyde, Cayman Community Health Nurse, Faith Hospital, Cayman Brac 

37. Ms. Barbara Nelson, Appointment Clerk 

38. Ms. Suzette Steward, Nurse Manager, Faith Hospital, Cayman Brac 

___________________________________________________________________

For services rendered to the Government and people of the Cayman Islands 

39. Mr B. L. ‘Mark’ Tibbetts Jr, District Commissioner, Cayman Brac 

For services rendered to the Public Service Pension Board and the People of the Cayman Islands 

40. Mrs. Jewel Evans Lindsey, Chief Executive Officer, Public Service Pensions Board

Financial Services Industry

For services rendered to the Financial Industry 

41. Ms. Sheree Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer, Cayman islands Institute of Professional Accountants

42. Mr Jude Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Cayman Finance

Media

For services rendered to broadcasting

43. Ms. Norma McField, Director of Broadcasting, Radio Cayman

For services rendered to the media and charitable organizations 

44. Ms. Victoria Wheaton, journalist