The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn buzzed with Caribbean excellence on Friday, November 7, as The University of the West Indies (The UWI) staged another successful edition of its London Benefit Dinner. Baroness Patricia Scotland, the first woman secretary general of the Commonwealth; Sir Trevor McDonald, an eminent journalist; and Ambassador Theresa Roberts, philanthropist, art collector and entrepreneur, were among the Caribbean-British honorees.

The black-tie event was held under the theme ‘Elevate to Educate. Dignitaries in attendance included Diane Abbott, the UK’s longest continuously serving woman member of parliament, as well as the high commissioners of Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago. Baroness Floella Benjamin and Professor Shirley Thompson were the event’s patrons and Nathalie Emmanuel, an actress and philanthropist, was the host.

“The UWI London Benefit Dinner is a signature event that celebrates varying expressions of Caribbean excellence. It was gratifying to see the overwhelming support from friends of The UWI in the UK, who believe in our mission to blend research, innovation and advocacy to drive climate action. The passage of Hurricane Melissa is a sobering reminder that this work must continue and we stand in solidarity with Jamaica during this difficult time,” said Sir Hilary Beckles, vice-chancellor, The UWI.

Proceeds will continue to fund post-graduate scholarships for students across the region, with a keen interest in climate action and environment, social and governance (ESG) themes. Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, executive director, UWI Advancement, noted, “The UWI London Benefit Dinner is a beacon of hope, empowering the next generation to carry forward this essential work to ensure that the Caribbean remains not a victim of climate change, but a vanguard of sustainable innovation.”

The Chancellor’s Award went to two institutions that have solid partnerships with The UWI:

• The VM Group is a leading Jamaican financial conglomerate, providing innovative products and services to clients in Jamaica, the United Kingdom, United States and Canada. VM continues to build on its almost 150-year strong heritage as a member-focused organisation.

• The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 and is ranked as a world top 100 university. The Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research, a joint initiative between the University of Glasgow and The University of the West Indies was founded in 2019, in a push towards reparatory justice.

Vice-Chancellor’s Award:

• Ambassador Theresa Roberts is a philanthropist, art collector and entrepreneur, whose Jamaican heritage shapes her professional and personal endeavours. She is founder of the Jamaica Patty Company and was appointed Ambassador and Special Envoy for Culture and the Arts by the Government of Jamaica in 2023.

Luminary Award:

• Sonita Alleyne is a Bajan award-winning media, business and social impact executive, who was appointed Master of Jesus College at the University of Cambridge, her alma mater. With her appointment in 2019, she became the first black person to lead a college at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

• Sir Trevor McDonald hails from Trinidad and Tobago and is one of the UK’s most respected broadcasters. He is best known for his time at Independent Television (ITV), anchoring News at Ten and hosting Tonight with Trevor McDonald, the then flagship current affairs programme. He was knighted for his sterling contribution to journalism in 1999.

• Baroness Patricia Scotland is a daughter of Dominica, who created history in 2015 by becoming the first woman and second Caribbean national to hold the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth. Baroness Scotland is also the first woman to be appointed Attorney General of the UK.

Nathalie Emmanuel, Dominican-British actress of Game of Thrones fame, was the evening’s compère. (Photo: Dean Rossiter)

Dr David Duncan (right), deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Glasgow, accepts the Vice-Chancellor’s Award from Dr Dodridge Miller (centre), UWI chancellor, and Professor Justin Robinson, pro vice-chancellor and principal of The UWI Five Island Campus. (Photo: Dean Rossiter)

Leighton Smith (right), vice-president of VM Group with responsibility for overseas offices, accepted the Chancellor’s Award from UWI Chancellor Dr Dodridge Miller and Sandrea Maynard, pro vice-chancellor, Office of Global Affairs – UWI.(Photo: Dean Rossiter)

Ambassador Theresa Roberts, recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award, shares the frame with Professor Densil Williams (left), pro vice-chancellor and principal of UWI, Mona, and Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor, The UWI.

Ambassador Theresa Roberts accepts the Vice- Chancellor’s Award from Professor Densil Williams, pro vice-chancellor and principal of UWI, Mona.

Jacqueline McDonald-Davis OBE (left), deputy chair of the UK Magistrates’ Association; Heidi “Safia” Mirza, emerita professor of race and gender equalities studies at University College London; and Nicola Rollock (standing), professor of social policy and race at King’s College London, were full of life and light. (Photo: Dean Rossiter)

Sonita Alleyne was delighted to accept the Luminary Award from Sir Hilary Beckles (right), vice chancellor, The UWI, and Professor Clive Landis, pro vice-chancellor and principal of UWI, Cave Hill. (Photo: Dean Rossiter)

Eminent broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald expressed deep gratitude for his UWI luminary award for sterling contribution to international journalism.(Photo: Dean Rossiter)

Baroness Patricia Scotland (centre), the first woman to become secretary general of the Commonwealth, was thrilled to receive the UWI Luminary award, presented by Sir Hilary Beckles, UWI vice-chancellor, and Baroness Floella Benjamin, UWI London Benefit Dinner patron.(Photo: Dean Rossiter)