A distinguished gathering of political leaders, diplomats, business executives and community stakeholders filled the American University of Antigua (AUA) Conference Centre on Saturday evening for an elegant celebration marking the investiture of Sir Aziz Fares Hadeed as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.

Photo by Wayne Mariette)

Although the formal investiture ceremony was held on October 8 last year, officiated by Prince William, Saturday’s event served as a national tribute to one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most accomplished sons. The evening has already been described by many attendees as the social highlight of the year.

Among those in attendance were Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams; Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Maria Browne; members of the Cabinet; representatives from both Houses of Parliament, including members of the Opposition; members of the diplomatic corps; senior government officials; leading figures from the legal and medical professions; regional and international business leaders; senior staff of the Hadeed Group of Companies; as well as family members, friends and long-standing associates.

Photo by Wayne Mariette)

Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Errol Cort — a close friend of Sir Aziz — noted that the honour was conferred following nominations by both the Governor General and the Prime Minister.

In his address, Sir Rodney outlined the considerations behind the nomination, emphasising Sir Aziz’s decades of enterprise, civic engagement and steadfast national commitment.

“When the Prime Minister and I nominated Sir Aziz for this honour, we did so with confidence and conviction,” Sir Rodney stated. “His record of service to Antigua and Barbuda — through business leadership, community upliftment and unwavering loyalty to country — clearly met the criteria for such a distinguished accolade.”

Photo by Wayne Mariette)

The Governor General highlighted Sir Aziz’s transformative influence on the national economy and his instrumental role as Chairman of the Board of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, the fourth landed campus of The University of the West Indies. He also referenced Sir Aziz’s decade of service as an independent Senator, as well as his tenure as Chairman of LIAT (1974) Ltd and his period as a Government Senator and Minister.

Beyond public office, Sir Rodney praised Sir Aziz’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy and his efforts to empower small business owners, noting that his entrepreneurial leadership has opened doors for countless individuals across the country.

Prime Minister Browne echoed those sentiments, describing the knighthood as richly deserved. He underscored Sir Aziz’s wide-ranging contributions to national development, from shaping public policy across successive administrations — including those of Sir Vere Bird, Sir Lester Bird and Baldwin Spencer — to his steadfast support of charitable causes and disaster recovery initiatives.

The Prime Minister further commended Sir Aziz’s generosity, stating that his financial and moral support during times of national crisis, including hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, exemplified a deep and enduring commitment to Antigua and Barbuda’s progress.

Photo by Wayne Mariette)

In his response, Sir Aziz reflected on his family’s journey from Syria to the Caribbean. He recounted how his father, the late Fares Hadeed, left Syria in 1952, travelling through several territories before ultimately settling in Antigua. Sir Aziz joined him in 1963, when the family reunited on the island that would become their permanent home.

From modest beginnings operating a dry goods store in St. John’s, the Hadeed family built what is now the country’s largest business conglomerate, spanning motor vehicle dealerships, finance, power generation, real estate, ready-mix concrete and aggregates. Sir Aziz credited the strength of family bonds and shared vision as central to that remarkable expansion.

Photo by Wayne Mariette)

His nephew, Francis Hadeed, speaking on behalf of the family, described the occasion as both a national milestone and a deeply personal moment of pride. He expressed gratitude to Lady Mahasen Hadeed for her steadfast support throughout the years.

The evening concluded with vibrant entertainment, including a performance by a Syrian band based in the United States. Guests filled the dance floor, celebrating not only a prestigious honour, but a lifetime of enterprise, service and enduring impact on Antigua and Barbuda’s development.