Hon Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly

Honourable Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, JP, MP, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of the Cayman Islands, has announced three special appointments to the Order in accordance with section 7B of the National Honours and Awards Act (2021 Revision). The appointments are as follows:

Hon. Dwayne Seymour, JP, MP has been appointed a Companion of the Order of the Cayman Islands (CCI) for services to the Caymanian people during the COVID-19 pandemic;

Mr. Arthur Joel Walton, JP has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the Cayman Islands (OCI) for services to the public sector, maritime and shipping administration;
and

Mrs. Carmen Eugenia Conolly, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the Cayman Islands (MCI) for services to the community, contributions to the arts and preservation of Caymanian heritage.

Noting the invaluable contributions of these three outstanding Caymanians, Premier O’Connor-Connolly stated, “I wish to offer heartfelt congratulations to each recipient on accepting their appointment to the Order of the Cayman Islands.  I wish to personally express my gratitude for their outstanding service.  The Cayman Islands continues to prosper and succeed because of the dedication, sacrifices and commitment of Caymanians from all walks of life.  The creation of our own system of National Awards has been a monumental step in our commitment to raising our sense of national identity and national pride.  It is therefore with great pleasure that I as Chancellor have made these three special appointments to three distinguished Caymanians in accordance with the provisions of the National Honours and Awards Act.”

The investiture ceremony for all three recipients will be part of the National Heroes Day Ceremony at Heroes Square on Monday, 22 January 2024. 

Note:

Hon. Dwayne Stanley Seymour, JP, MP is a native of Bodden Town and has served as a Member of Parliament representing the people of his district for a total of three terms.  During each of these terms, he has been appointed as a Cabinet Minister serving in various roles.  During the 2017-2021 administration, he was appointed Minister for Health, Environment, Culture and Housing, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Keenly aware of the vulnerability of the Cayman Islands healthcare system, Minister Seymour was a strong advocate for the early closing of borders and supported the implementation of public health measures which set the Cayman Islands apart as a global leader in the effective management of the pandemic. 

His demonstrable leadership throughout the height of the pandemic alongside former Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper, and former Premier, Hon Sir Alden McLaughlin and other senior officials ensured that the Caymanian public were well informed, reassured and uplifted.  His promotion of public health best practices, advocacy for unity, and reliance on the healthcare professionals are undeniable parts of the Cayman Islands’ incredible COVID-19 success story. 

Throughout his Ministerial tenure, he has been a champion for improving the delivery of mental health services and the development of the Poinciana Residential Mental Health Facility. 

Mr. Arthur Joel Walton, JP who was born in Cayman Brac and raised in Grand Cayman, began his public service career with the Cayman Islands Government in 1983. Throughout his career, he rose to the position of Deputy Financial Secretary which he held for 11 years while simultaneously serving as District Commissioner for a period.  He served on the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank and was a founding Member of Public Service Pension Board.  In May 2004, he became the Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI), which also owns and operates the 120- year-old Cayman Islands Shipping Registry.  

Through his stewardship and astute leadership, the Cayman Islands has become a premier international maritime centre whilst promoting compliance with international standards, regional agreements and domestic legislation in responsible maritime administration.  A hallmark of Mr. Walton’s tenure has been the forging of strong bilateral relationships including with the United Kingdom’s Department of Transport and other Member countries of the Red Ensign Group.  He currently serves as the Deputy Chairman Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (a United Nations organ) and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Superyacht Society.  By providing a customer friendly regulatory environment, the industry has flourished, resulting in consistent growth in tonnage and registrations- creating a thriving modern link to Cayman’s rich maritime heritage. 

Mrs. Carmen Eugenia Conolly has been a highly respected elder of the East End community and beloved throughout the Cayman Islands. Strongly connected to all things Caymanian, she continues to hone her incredible talents to create original works of art and visual spectacles. She has for years supported efforts to promote and preserve Caymanian heritage through her signature needlework art, thatch-work and culinary arts. She has contributed to district efforts to create cultural displays for Heritage Days, Agriculture Shows and other National Celebrations. Always willing to participate in demonstrations of traditional Caymanian arts, she has taught generations of younger Caymanians in the schools and district craft classes. A devoted member of the East End United Church, she has led an exemplary life, willingly and faithfully serving her community, visiting the elderly and sick and helping the needy in any way possible.