Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

Peter Haycraft honoured with order of the British Empire

Peter Haycraft honoured with order of the British Empire

In a Government Information Services release, it was announced that Businessman and Philanthropist Mr. Peter Haycraft was awarded the Order of the British Empire from Her Majesty the Queen for his services to the British Virgin Islands at an Investiture Ceremony today.
Mr. Haycraft migrated to the British Virgin Islands in 1959 to run a ferry service between Tortola and St. Thomas, and has since made significant contributions to the BVI community. He has served as Commodore of the Royal BVI Yacht Club on thirteen occasions and was one of the original organisers of the BVI Spring Regatta – now recognised today as one of the Caribbean’s leading sailing events. He has grown and developed the business environment in the BVI.

Following the 2017 hurricanes, Mr. Haycraft contributed substantial funds to rebuild Enis Adams Primary School (where his wife Mrs. Penny Haycraft has worked as a teacher) into a state-of-the-art educational facility. He continues to make contributions to many worthy causes in the Territory.

His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert said, “For the past 60 years the name Peter Haycraft has become synonymous with entrepreneurship, innovation and community support. I am very pleased to see Mr. Haycraft honoured with an OBE for his philanthropic work.”

The Governor also spoke about Mr. Haycraft’s personal resilience in the face of challenge and added that, “with every great opportunity comes great responsibility.”

In his response, Mr. Haycraft extended gratitude to supporters near and far, especially his wife Penny, son Chris, and daughters living overseas Susan and Julie. He also extended particular thanks to those who nominated him for the award, and others who wrote testimonial letters of support.

“It’s important for you to know that you all have contributed – through loyalty or friendship – to me achieving this honour,” Mr Haycraft said. He added, “Penny and I have never regretted for one moment the decision back in 1960 to make Tortola our home.”

Governor Jaspert also expressed his gratitude to the BVI Honours Committee, which works within the community to help to identify individuals who have made significant contributions to the BVI and to submit nominations to the Queen’s Honours list every year. Dr. Robert Mathavious and Mr. Stacy Roger Mather also received Honours from Her Majesty the Queen this year for their services to the Territory.

During the ceremony, Governor Jaspert presented Mr. Haycraft, OBE, with the traditional Insignia and Royal Warrant in the presence of a small group of Mr. Haycraft’s friends, family and past honourees.

Deputy Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley; Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone; and Minister of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent Wheatley also joined the ceremony held at Government House.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
×