Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has recognized three outstanding members of Cayman’s community in her 2012 Birthday Honours list.

Mr. Martyn Charles William Bould is made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) (MBE), for his services to cultural preservation and development in the Cayman Islands.

Dr. Sook Lee Yin-Eccles is made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) (MBE), for her services to medicine and charitable organisations in the Cayman Islands.

Mr Davis Harrison Scott, Senior Police Officer, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, receives the Overseas Territories (Police) Medal (OTM) for meritorious service.

In addition, His Excellency Governor Duncan Taylor, CBE has named two Caymanians to receive the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour (Cert. Hon.).

Ms Nicole Tyson-Petit is honoured for services to Her Majesty’s Government and the Public Service of the Cayman Islands, and Mr James Young Scott gains recognition for services to the construction industry.

Martyn Charles William Bould, MBE

He is not a painter, dancer or actor himself, but ask Martyn Bould what he thinks of the arts and his passion is palpable. “Art is essential: it gives one identity, it serves as a platform for self-discovery and it is a source of national pride. Simply put, it makes you a better person,” he says.

Although a successful and renowned quantity surveyor and property developer in his own right, Mr. Bould is almost as well known for his enthusiastic support of the arts – a personal interest that resulted in more than three decades of community service, starting with the idea of developing a purpose-built theater for the Islands’ actors.

“Back in 1982, the Inn Theatre, a local performing arts group focusing on West Indian drama, asked me to help them get a permanent home. Up to then, they were performing in hotel conference rooms including the old Holiday Inn, Galleon Beach and Royal Palms – a less than perfect arrangement considering the fact that they had to set-up and break down their stage and décor so often,” Mr. Bould explains.

The project eventually saw the establishment of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) with the end product being the Harquail Theatre and Cultural Centre.

“And so, what started out as a construction project developed into something much bigger,” Mr. Bould says. “Not only did it make us stop and look at what the physical needs of local theatre were, but it also made us think about Cayman’s heritage and the potential for its cultural development.”

Mr. Bould, who served as vice chairman of the CNCF board since its inception in 1984, became chairman in 1995. During his tenure, he along with the talented and hard working board, staff and volunteers cemented the Foundation’s reputation as the premier cultural organization in the Cayman Islands.

Personal highlights during his chairmanship include the first production of Rundown, the establishment of Cayman’s own story-telling festival, Gimistory, and the Islands’ annual celebration of the arts, Cayfest.

Another proud moment for CNCF was acquiring Miss Lassie’s house in South Sound and securing its future when it was placed on the New York-based World Monument Fund’s prestigious Watch List after vigorous advocacy from the CNCF. “To think the Cayman Islands has a cultural treasure that shares the company of amazing sites such as the Great Wall of China, Quetzalcoatl Temple, Taj Mahal and Valley of the Kings, is truly inspiring,” said Mr. Bould.

However, ask Mr. Bould’s wife, Vivian, what one of his biggest pleasures is and the answer is accompanying young Caymanian artists to Carifesta, a regional gathering of Caribbean artists and arts organizations. “Words cannot describe the experience. It is fantastic to see our young people perform on the international stage; moreover, it is extraordinary to see them grasp not only their Caribbean identity, but also the uniqueness of their own Caymanian heritage,” agrees Mr. Bould

Apart from his work at CNCF, Mr. Bould is also a founding board member of the National Gallery and was chairman of the building committee which, following 12 years of fundraising, finally saw the completion of the new National Gallery building this year.

Mr. Bould served as a National Trust board member from 1998 to 2002, was chairman from 2000 to 2002, and was chairman of the Historic Advisory Committee from 1998 to 2002.

Born in England in 1945, it was by pure chance that Mr. Bould took a quantity surveying job in Jamaica. In 1969, he took up residence in the Cayman Islands which, 42 years later, he proudly calls home. “I think the Caribbean, and especially the Cayman Islands, is one of the best, most vibrant and diverse places to live. Where else can you find 114 different nationalities amongst a total population of some 55,000?”

Although Mr. Bould has been awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to cultural preservation and development in the Cayman Islands, professionally he has also made his mark on these Islands and the Caribbean.

He is chairman of Rider Levett Bucknall in the Caribbean, a global organization with 117 offices and 2,500 employees. He was recently awarded an honorary fellowship of the Cayman Society of Architects, Surveyors and Engineers for his exemplary career and contribution to the construction and development industry in the Cayman Islands.

Dr. Sook Lee Yin-Eccles, Cert. Hon., MBE

Dr. Sook Lee Yin-Eccles MB BCH BAO (widely known as ‘Dr. Yin’) has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to medicine and charitable organisations in the Cayman Islands.

A native of Malaysia, Dr. Yin moved to Grand Cayman in 1987, after graduating and completing her medical training in the UK. For the last 25 years, she has worked in private medical practice and is the founder of the Seven Mile Medical Clinic where she and her team provide quality medical service to the Cayman community.

A General and Family Practitioner, her dynamic energy and holistic approach to wellness has made her a role model to the medical community as well as to a cross-section of the local community.

While engaged in medical diagnoses and treatment, she maintains a steady focus on educating patients and all residents about health risks and on how to prevent chronic diseases. Her practice is primarily dedicated to preventative medicine and facilitating patients in managing their diseases and treatment programmes “through education and a holistic approach of mind, body and soul-empowering.”

Medical Director of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS) since 2001, she is most proud of leading several successful campaigns to reduce cancer rates and increase education and awareness.

One milestone was in 2005 when CICS raised $500,000 to acquire a state-of-the-art digital mammogram machine which was donated to the Cayman Islands Hospital, making these islands the first in the Caribbean to own and operate such a piece of equipment.

Dr. Yin and CICS supported the bill that banned smoking in public places and made sale of tobacco products to minors an offence. They campaigned tirelessly and the bill became law in 2008. She was also a key player in establishing the first Cayman Islands Cancer Registry which was made possible through a partnership of the HSA and CICS.

Currently through CICS she is working on the prevention of cervical cancer, specifically through early detection by PAP smears and the introduction of HPV vaccine.

For the past decade she has been Medical Director and team doctor for the Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association and has also served as fundraising chairperson. She views swimming as “an all-encompassing sport that can be enjoyed by young and old. It exercises the whole body, even as it relaxes the mind.”

Dr. Yin has accompanied the Cayman swim team to Carifta, the Pan Am Games, FINA World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Her work in sports medicine includes prevention of injuries in young athletes, nutritional support to enhance performance, playing fair and applying anti-doping rules in and out of competition. She also serves in the Water Safety Committee to establish a national water safety policy for all swimming events.

She is a founding member and the Medical Director of the Cayman Heart Fund (launched in 2008), formed to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the Cayman Islands. Dr. Yin’s philosophy of early detection of risk factors and public education is again evident in her Know your Numbers campaign. She and CHF volunteers organise and run Heart Health Fairs throughout the year in all districts.

Dr. Yin has also campaigned for public accessibility to automated external defibrillators and encourages the public to be CPR trained in order to provide basic life support to cardiac arrest victims. She works closely with the Cayman Islands Red Cross and St. Matthews University to offer this education to the public.

A founding member of the Children’s Health Task Force (CHTF), formed in 2009 and charged with the task of tackling childhood obesity in the Cayman Islands, Dr. Yin and a team of volunteer dieticians, paediatricians and fitness instructors, are working with public health and education officials to offer nutritional support and afterschool physical activity to teenagers.

The CHTF also developed a national food policy and lobbied to have it adopted by public school canteens. The policy mandates healthy food choices for students. The task force is now working with teachers, caregivers and parents of toddlers attending preschools to start healthy habits early.

Dr. Yin was previously honoured in 2006 with the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour. She and her husband Brian Eccles have two children who are currently receiving their education in the UK.

Davis Harrison Scott, OTM*

*The OTM replaces the Colonial Police Medal (CPM).

Receiving royal recognition for service to his community “was the furthest thing from my mind,” says PC Davis Harrison Scott, adding: “I don’t serve for reward or recognition, but for the love of my country.”

These statements embody not only Mr. Scott’s humility but also his unfaltering character and resolute commitment to the community which he has served for almost 35 years.

“When I heard about the medal, I said to myself: I must have done something right,” noted Mr. Scott with a smile, admitting that he is touched by being awarded the Overseas Territories (Police) Medal (OTM) for exceptional service and commitment to policing in the Cayman Islands.

Ironically, policing was never a career that Mr. Scott intended to follow. Born and raised in East End, he admits that, as a young boy, he was quite in awe of the police officers. Yet, on account of a fellow school leaving friend’s encouragement, he decided to give it a try.

Today, he still remembers when he joined the police service to the date. “I signed up on 16 July 1977 — I was almost 18 years old.”

Further encouragement came from Superintendent Vernon Ebanks who noted that the police service can do with more “big, strapping young men” such as Mr. Scott, and he was subsequently sent to Barbados where he underwent six months basic training. During his career, he also attended several other courses overseas, including basic crime investigation, crime scene search and a drug intelligence course.

After almost two decades of service as police constable, he was selected in 1993 to train with the Metro-Dade-Miami police as a K9-handler. It was also there that he was introduced to his new partner, Tasso, a German Shepherd. Reminiscing about their service in the Drug Task Force, Mr. Scott remarks, “We were a great team. Our years in the Drug Task Forces were definitely some of the best of my career.”

A decade later, in 2005, he was transferred to the Bodden Town Police Station where he worked as part of a plainclothes, pro-active policing team, before moving to to his childhood neighbourhood of East End where he now serves as Neighbourhood Police Officer.

“I enjoy serving my community. I want them to know that the police is here to help, and they must feel free to bring their concerns to me,” Mr. Scott remarks. “Always respect other people, keep abreast of what is going on in your community and speak up when something is wrong.”

Looking back on his successful career Mr. Scott wonders why more young Caymanians don’t take up the challenge. “Knowing the people, knowing where to go, knowing what to expect and what to do, is an invaluable asset to a police officer. It is simply priceless to serve your own people,” Mr. Scott concludes.

When he is not policing, Mr. Scott loves to tend to his cattle and enjoys fishing.

Nicole Tyson-Petit , Cert. Hon.

“A successful prosecution of those who have committed offences is an intrinsic part of maintaining the rule of law and protecting the moral fabric of any society. “ This is what Mrs. Nicole Tyson-Petit lives by and practices on a daily basis as a Crown Counsel.

Having been honoured with a Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour, Mrs. Tyson-Petit said, “It was totally unexpected and I am very humbled and deeply appreciative to be acknowledged in this manner.”

Becoming a part of the Civil Service in 2007 she joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a prosecutor with responsibility for preparing and conducting criminal prosecutions in the Summary and Grand Courts. Her responsibilities also include the preparation and conducting of appeals in the Grand Court and the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal.

Mrs. Tyson-Petit has a passion for justice and an energy and drive to practice law. “I see my job as providing me with a unique opportunity to make a difference in matters which affect everyone in society, regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, social or economic background.”

As far back as she can recall, she knew she wanted to be a lawyer and practice the law. “I’ve always been supported in this regard by my family, which has a long lineage of lawyers, and my dear husband of 16 years who has always provided unwavering support before and during my career as a lawyer.”

Prior to coming to the Cayman Islands Mrs. Tyson-Petit worked for 10 years as an Advocate at the Private Bar in Trinidad and Tobago. In this role she was the head of her own chambers and had a wide and varied practice involving company, family and criminal law.

During her career in the civil service, from August 2008 to June 2010, she served as Special Counsel to His Excellency, the Governor of the Cayman Islands, providing local expertise to a Queen’s Counsel instructed to advise the Governor on unique and novel areas of the law, crossing areas of constitutional, administrative and criminal law.

In June 2010 Mrs. Tyson-Petit assumed sole responsibility for advising the Governor on a legal project which involved a very important constitutional matter before the Privy Council. Being a part of this team was exciting. The project involved a novel area of the law with no legal precedents that this jurisdiction could follow and required a great deal of independent research and analysis.

Having been involved in these aspects of the law, Mrs. Tyson-Petit was again appointed Special Counsel to the present Governor between August 2010 and July 2011 to provide local expertise and assist a Queen’s Counsel instructed to advise on matters relating to law, justice and good governance in the islands.

James Young Scott, Cert. Hon.

With a wealth of knowledge and years of experience, James “Jim” Scott would like to believe that he has made an impact on the development of the construction industry in the Cayman Islands over the last thirty years. “With a special interest in sustainability, I have always been more interested in the nuts and bolts that put a sustainable building together,” says Mr. Scott.

He grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and pursued a Diploma in Architecture from Scott Sutherland School of Architecture. As a young architect in south London, Mr. Scott worked on 500-year old mediaeval structures, which to date are some of the most complex buildings he has been involved with.

In 1981, he moved to the Cayman Islands and worked for OBM Ltd Architects for 21 years, eventually becoming an owner and director of that company. His projects with OBM include Plantana Condominiums, Butterfield House, Elizabethan Square, Genesis Building, Cayman National Bank, UBS Bank, Strathvale House, Citrus Grove, and Exxon Mobil and Chevron Texaco facilities.

In 2003, he joined the Public Works Department as project manager, preparing bid documents for the new Government Administration Building.

From 2005, he dedicated six years to being the project manager of the new Government Administration Building — his biggest project to date. In this role, he emphasized the need for a building that would provide Government with a facility that had a lifespan of at least 60 years, and introduced energy saving devices. The building has been recognized for its efficiency and has received a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) award.

Today, Mr. Scott is the architect/project manager at the Ministry of District Administration, Works, Land and Agriculture and is currently monitoring the construction of the weather radar facility in East End.

Serving the industry he helped build, he is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, a Registered Architect with the UK Architects Registration Board, a member of the Construction Specification Institute, and he served as president of the Cayman Society of Architects Surveyors Engineers.

Surprised by receiving the Certificate and Badge of Honour, Mr. Scott said: “I am delighted and honoured to have reached this milestone. While I don’t do it for the glory and praise, my passion for architectural work is what keeps me going.”

His advice to youngsters interested in pursuing a construction career is: “Although the construction industry is no game, the industry has many and diverse opportunities for school leavers, such as architects, interior designers, structural engineers, surveyors and construction managers, but it’s up to these persons to realize their full potential and go for it!” He added, “It’s a great kick to see something you have designed and drawn up, included in the final product on a site.”