National honours will today be conferred on more than 60 outstanding citizens and international partners who have made significant contributions to the country’s development and global reputation, as part of the 2025 Independence and Republic celebrations.
The awards span the highest levels of national recognition, celebrating excellence in fields such as healthcare, economic reform, humanitarian service, national security, and acts of bravery.
Three Barbadians have been awarded the Order of Freedom of Barbados for distinguished and extraordinary service: legendary West Indies fast bowler and administrator Joel Garner, Governor of the Central Bank Dr Kevin Greenidge, and healthcare and business leader Dr Kurt Lambert.
More specifically, Garner is being recognised for “his outstanding leadership as a distinguished sports administrator, sterling service to national cricket development and extraordinary contribution to West Indies and Barbados cricket as one of the greatest fast bowlers in history”.
Dr Greenidge was named for his “exceptional people-centred leadership in economic policy and central banking, and his outstanding transformative achievements in guiding reforms under the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programmes.
Dr Lambert is being recognised for “his exemplary leadership in healthcare, finance, and social investment, significant socio-economic achievements whilst pioneering major enterprises, and unwavering dedication to advancing impactful philanthropic initiatives”.
Meanwhile, President of the African Export-Import Bank, Professor Benedict Oramah, will receive an honorary Order of Freedom award for his work in strengthening trade and investment ties between Barbados and the African continent.
Three recipients will receive the Order of the Republic: maritime and tourism leader George Fergusson, child protection and justice reform advocate Faith Marshall-Harris, and leading ENT specialist Dr Christopher Maynard. An honorary Order of the Republic is being awarded to non-national Yvonne Brewer for her decades of service improving long-term care and welfare support.
In one of the largest collective citations to date, 33 members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Core Implementation Team and the International Business Unit Economic Substance Team were jointly awarded the Gold Award of Achievement for their role in guiding Barbados off the FATF Grey List and EU Blacklist and ensuring compliance with international financial regulations.
The 24 members of the FATF team being awarded are:
The Hon. Dale Dermont Marshall, S.C., M.P.
Senator, the Most Hon. Reginald Farley, F.B., J.P.
Dr Corlita Annette Babb-Schaefer
Cyralene Benskin-Murray
Casey Boyce
Alicia Brewster
Paula Cain
Jennifer Clarke-Murrell
Olivia Davis
Mechelle Elie
Annalee Gale
Cheryl Greenidge
Trevor Griffith
Dacia Jones
Rosina Knight
Glenroy Nowell
Estherline Oneal
Amanda Osolo
Maleka Prescod
Tamiesha Rochester
Shari Squires
Kirk Taitt
Nicole Denise Thompson
Sonia Elizabeth Thompson
The nine International Business Unit Economic Substance Team members are:
Senator Lisa Cummins
Annie Aymes
Crystal Ellis
Rachel Howell
Kevin Hunte
Kevin Mayers
Ishuah Moore
Amelia Moore-Clarke
Sheena Walcott
Five individuals will receive the Gold Trident of Excellence for exceptional leadership, including in religion, culture and business. They are:
Dr Henderson Adrian Cummins, S.C.
Oral St. Elmo Holder
Evelyn Cecile Marita Humphrey
Bishop Ezra Parris
Dennis Worme
Another five are being awarded the Silver Trident of Excellence for major national contributions, including in the creative industries and social advocacy.
Wendy Alleyne
Carol Boyce, J.P.
Ann Leacock
Mary Vaughan
Jennifer Weetch
Seven Barbadians will be presented with the Barbados Service Star for outstanding work in community and protective services.
Shirley Ann Alleyne
Wendley Carter, J.P.
Ellenora Gill, J.P.
Reverend Wayne Kirton, J.P.
Jefferson Payne, J.P.
Marva Eileen Sealy
Norensia Marcia Emanuel, J.P.
Another seven are being awarded the Barbados Service Medal for dedicated national service across sectors. They are:
Frank Batson
Kevin Seymour Blackett, J.P
Edwin Orlando Carrington
Derek Jones
Addison Lashley
Patricia Rock
Haldane Wiltshire, J.P.
Seven individuals will receive the Barbados Bravery Medal for risking their lives to save others in emergency situations, demonstrating exceptional courage and selflessness.
Four – Jelani Griffith, Reshelle Griffith, Rashad Jules, and Malique Springer- were involved in the rescue of 104-year-old Beryl Whitney from a building fire a year earlier.
Another two — Jeremy Payne and Roger Springer — saved four people who were in distress at sea off Queen Street, St Peter, in February 2024.
The final honouree in this category is Shawn Green, who saved his cousin, Petra Wilson, from a brutal attack by 10 dogs in June last year. (BT)
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