National Honours For 140 Jamaicans For Service Across Business, Public Life And Culture

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, a government minister, a former education minister and several prominent figures from business, media and music are among 140 Jamaicans set to receive National Honours and Awards this year.

Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles. (Photo: JIS)The recipients include Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles, Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz, communications strategist and educator Donette Chin-Loy Chang, former Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson, former National Security Minister Derrick Smith, Stewart’s Automotive Group Chairman Diana Stewart and Sagicor Group Jamaica President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Zacca.

The seven have been appointed to the Order of Jamaica (OJ).

Byles is being recognised for exceptional service in business and finance, while Vaz is receiving the honour for his exceptional contribution to public service and representational politics.

Twenty-five people will be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD).

Among them are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Peace Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis and Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Antoinette Thompson.

Also receiving the CD are Audrey Tugwell Henry, for service to banking, corporate leadership and the empowerment of women in national development; Professor Densil Williams, for his contribution to academia and international business policy and practice; and Kevin O’Brien Chang, for his contribution to business development and culture.

Another 41 individuals will receive the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD).

They include journalist and broadcaster Kerlyn Brown; Richard Andrew Creary, for service in local government; Evan Thompson, for service to meteorology, climate resilience and public safety; reggae artiste Clifford “Mr. Vegas” Smith; and Professor Evan Duggan, for service in information technology and tertiary education.

Ska and rocksteady pioneer Wilburn Theodore “Stranger” Cole will receive an award posthumously for his outstanding contribution to the development of Jamaican music.

The remaining recipients include 33 people who will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BH(M)), 30 who will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (BH(L)), and four who will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry (BH(G)).

Two Jamaica Information Service (JIS) employees are among the BH(M) recipients.

Anthony Johnson is being recognised for service in government communication, while Judith Hunter is being honoured for her contribution to government development through public relations.

Former JIS Human Resource Director Bernita Locke will also receive the BH(M) for her service in human resource management and industrial relations.

The recipients will receive their honours during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 19.