It is with the greatest sense of honour we announce that the award of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire has been granted upon Andrew Thorne in His Majesty the Kings New Years Honours List for services to British Exports and British interests in the Caribbean.
This exceptional accolade is made in recognition of Andys vast knowledge, commitment and philanthropic work in the Caribbean. As well as his support of British Exports and his direct involvement in economic success within the Caribbean region and the Commonwealth.
The OBE was established by King George V in 1917 to honour those who served in a non combative role and expanded to reward contributions to the Arts, Sciences, Charitable work and Public Service.
The Honours system has a long history of appointment dating back to the Norman Conquest in 1066 with the appointment of Knights Bachelor. Prior to the introduction of the Order of the British Empire appointments to Orders of Chivalry had been exclusive.
The “Home Chapel” of the Order is located within St Paul’s Cathedral , hence allowing Members to request the use of the Chapel. A service of Thanksgiving is held in the Cathedral every four years.
In 2017 the Order of the British Empire celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The motto of the OBE is “For God and the Empire”.
It is with this heartfelt sentiment that Andrew has accepted this honour from our Monarch His Majesty King Charles III.
The OBE is in recognition of his services to the Caribbean. His shipping company Kestrel specialises in global services to the Caribbean – shipping and airfreight from all over the world , and especially with the diaspora in the UK. As well as procurement services enabling local people to purchase products overseas and ship to the Caribbean. Kestrel ships all cargo types from barrels to giant pieces of earth moving equipment for construction , all vehicle types and basically anything that can be shipped inside shipping containers including temperature controlled cargo.
Andy has opened island offices in SVG which grew rapidly from a 1 man operation (Marlon Gibson) to a busy and thriving office not only employing people in the main office but also expanding to the operation at Camden Park with all types of trucks , side loaders etc. Through Andy Kestrel provided all the global logistics for the new port and also the Sandals project amongst many others throughout the Grenadines.
Likewise in Guyana and Trinidad we have a similar success story. Whilst in Barbados and Jamaica we operate with local partnership and an exceptional portfolio of services including Caribbean Auto Terminal in Jamaica bringing vehicles in from around the world and storing and distributing them throughout the Caribbean.
Meanwhile Special rates are given to those that need it most and Andy has supported a huge variety of local needs from the Sunshine School on Bequia supported hand in hand with HE Cenio Lewis to the SVG Junior Sailing School run by Jenny Trimble who are enjoying success on the International scene after a tiny local support and for which Andy provides a huge amount of support and shipping all their boats and equipment free of charge. These are just a couple of a very long list of supported causes throughout the entire Caribbean – far too many to list.
He is also a staunch supporter of the King’s Trust International providing youth opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Having been involved in the set up since the CHOGM Malta launch of the then Princes Trust International.
During the SVG volanco Andy spearheaded a huge aid relief program collecting aid at the UK warehouse and arranging donations and shipping , and donated approx 400,000 EC himself. At the time of hurricane Beryl Andy campaigned tirelessly for aid in the UK and ran 2 aid ships at his own expense from the UK to SVG full of Aid cargo (approx EC 1.5 million of his own money) Again there are many other similar instances over the years from Montserrat to Haiti where Andy steps in with his knowledge and his own funds.
Additionally he works tirelessly with government entities to champion the cause of the Commonwealth at large and the entire Caribbean basin and to support British Exports both helping and encouraging new companies to export as well as continual assistance in cost savings and innovative logistics solutions for long standing clients.
He has brought new shipping lines to the region such as the Baltic and European ships owned and run by Vertom / Europe Caribbean Line (ECL) to make regular calls to St Vincent , Barbados , Jamaica and Antigua and also operates the local Liner Agency services for the Höegh Autoliners RoRo ship in St Vincent and The Grenadines , Guyana and Barbados. Through a global network and the excellence of the Caribbean services of Tropical Shipping the island’s benefit from worldwide imports.
Andy consistently and continually works to do the best for the people in the region providing opportunities, employment and training. All island offices are powered through employment of local people (no expats etc )
He is well known and respected by business owners and leaders as well as local people throughout the Caribbean and UK Diaspora – all of whom he supports and helps giving his own time and knowledge freely.
