Jamaican gets top British honour

LONDON — Jamaican entrepreneur and community worker, Beverley Lindsay has received a top honour from the British government.

On Saturday, June 11, Mrs Lindsay was bestowed the title of Order of the British Empire (OBE), as part of Her Majesty, The Queen’s birthday honours list.

Mrs Lindsay, who owns and operates the travel and tourism business, Diamond Travel, in Birmingham, has been a stalwart of the Jamaican community in Birmingham for more than 30 years. She is Chair of the Association of Jamaican Nationals in Birmingham and will be President of the Rotary Club of Birmingham in 2012.

Born in St. Thomas, Mrs Lindsay moved to the United Kingdom (UK) as a teenager in 1964 and developed a career in nursing, before working in the voluntary and financial services. She started Diamond Travel 25 years ago and still oversees its day to day operations.

She has been a leading member of the Jamaican Diaspora UK movement and has worked very closely with the Jamaican High Commission for several decades on the growth and development of the Jamaican community in the UK.

“I feel very humbled and privileged to have this very great honour bestowed upon me. However, I do not see this solely as an individual achievement, but a collective one. I have been fortunate to have had the continuous support of my community. I have been in the service sector business at Diamond Travel for almost 25 years and involved in voluntary community work for over 30 years and it has always been rewarding and fulfilling to serve the community,” Mrs. Lindsay said.

“I would like to express my deepest thanks and sincere appreciation to those who have considered me worthy to have nominated me – to my family, my staff, my friends and my community who have stood by me and given me their support throughout the years to make all this possible. I salute the people of Birmingham and accept this recognition on their behalf,” she added.

In 2008 Mrs Lindsay was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) by the government of Jamaica.

High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Anthony Johnson expressed delight at Mrs. Lindsay’s achievement, describing her as a great example of the successful Jamaican experience overseas.

The High Commissioner said that he joined with the entire Jamaican community in the UK in congratulating Mrs. Lindsay on her richly deserved honour.

By ANDREW CLUNIS, JIS Reporter