Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, charity founder Tara Nielsen, educational leader Glenda McTaggart, Chief Superintendent Peter Lansdown and sustainability advocate Melanie Carmichael are being awarded in the King’s Birthday Honours list this year.
The names were announced in a statement issued by Governor Jane Owen on 12 June.
“I am delighted to announce that five members of our community have been awarded honours by His Majesty the King in the Birthday Honours list for outstanding services to the Cayman Islands,” said Owen. “I send my warmest congratulations to them all.”
MBE for Deputy Governor Franz Manderson
Outgoing Deputy Governor Manderson began his government career in 1981 and rose to eventually become the head of the civil service. He was awarded an MBE in 2019, but has now been made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) “for services to the Cayman Islands Civil Service and the wider community in the Cayman Islands”.
“My achievements have been a real team effort,” said Manderson, who hailed “the men and women of the civil service who have worked shoulder-to-shoulder with me to make the lives of those we serve better.”
ARK’s Tara Nielsen awarded MBE
Nielsen founded Acts of Random Kindness – a Cayman-based charity better known as ARK – 20 years ago. The charity has helped the poorest people in Cayman with housing, education and food support.
Nielsen was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) “for services to charity and community development in the Cayman Islands”.
“I am truly humbled and deeply honoured to receive an MBE from His Majesty King Charles III,” said Nielsen.
“Above all, I give thanks and praise to Father God, who placed this dream and mission in my heart, sustained me through every challenge and faithfully guided this work over the past twenty years.”
BEM for Glenda McTaggart
McTaggart’s education work is focused on giving Cayman’s students access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes.
McTaggart, who also manages Dart’s high school and university scholarship programmes, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) “for services to education in the Cayman Islands”.
“I was extremely honoured to learn that I was nominated and selected for this prestigious recognition – it came as a complete surprise,” said McTaggart.
“It’s very humbling and I am grateful for the acknowledgement of my contributions to education and the youth of the Cayman Islands.”
Peter Lansdown receives KPM
Detective Superintendent Peter Lansdown of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has been awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM) “for services to policing in the Cayman Islands, and in support of other British Overseas Territories”.
Lansdown is responsible within the RCIPS for all detective units, the Joint Intelligence Unit, Crime Scene Investigation and Exhibits.
A career detective, Lansdown, before joining the RCIPS in 2016, served with the Metropolitan Police Service, New Scotland Yard in London (the Met).
Certificate and Badge of Honour for Melanie Carmichael
Finally, Sustainable Cayman executive committee member Melanie Carmichael was awarded a Certificate and Badge of Honour (Cert. Hon.) “for services to sustainability and conservation in the Cayman Islands”.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour for services to sustainability and conservation,” said Carmichael.
“This recognition reflects the efforts of an entire community. It would not be possible without the many organisations, volunteers and dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly every day in this field. Our collective impact depends on collaboration with valued partners both locally and overseas.”
Two Caymanians will be presented with Certificates and Badges of Honour at the Cayman Islands’ annual King’s Birthday Parade and Honours Ceremony, to be held outside Government House, West Bay Road, on Monday, 15 June, starting at 8am.
Corinne Glasgow will be awarded for “services to the community and voluntary organisations”, while Shaun Matthew Tracey will be awarded for “services to chess in schools and the wider community”.
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