His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J was appointed Governor-General of Jamaica on 26th February 2009. Born in Fruitful Vale Portland on 7th February 1951, His Excellency received his early education at the Fruitful Vale All-Age School and later at the Moneague College, graduating with a Diploma in teaching in 1972.
In 1985, he completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History with academic distinction and Honours from the Andrews University, Michigan, USA. He received a Master of Arts Degree in Systematic Theology (1986) and a Ph.D. in Education Administration and Supervision (1998) also from Andrews University.
His Excellency's professional career includes service in the Public Sector in Education and also Christian Ministry. A classroom Teacher between 1969 and 1976, Sir Patrick was appointed Principal of the Robins Bay All-Age School in 1976 and in 1979, became Principal of the Hillside Primary School. He was later Principal of Port Maria High School from 1981-1983. Between 1986 and 1991 His Excellency served as a Church Pastor and between 1990 and 1993, as Director of Education in the Adventist Church Educational System in Jamaica, Bahamas, Cayman and Turks and Caicos Islands.
He returned to Andrews University in 1993 and served as Assistant Registrar from 1996 until 1998 whilst pursuing doctoral studies. Upon his return to Jamaica that same year, he was elected President of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He served in that position until 2000 when he was appointed President of the West Indies Union, with responsibility for churches and related organizations in Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.
His Excellency has held other leadership positions in the Adventist Church in the region (2000-2009) including Chairman of the Northern Caribbean University Board; Andrews Memorial Hospital (Jamaica); the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and the Book and Nutrition Company. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Bible Society of the West Indies.
His record of service on the Board of several national organizations includes the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica; the Police Civilian Oversight Authority and the Strategic Review Implementation Oversight Committee of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. He is a Justice of the Peace (Manchester) and in 2010, was appointed President of the Jamaica Institute of Management.
His Excellency was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on 12th June 2009, receiving the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG). He previously was awarded the Order of the Nation (ON) in February 2009 at his installation as Governor-General and Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD) in August 2006, while serving as head of the Adventist Church in Jamaica. Later in September 2012, His Excellency was knighted the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (KSt.J).
His other awards and accomplishments include:
- Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Northern Caribbean University - 2009.
- Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Andrews University - 2010.
- Honorary Doctor of Laws from Oakwood University - 2010.
- Listed in ‘Who is Who' in American Universities and Colleges (1985).
- Membership in the Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta and Alpha Mu Gamma Honors Societies.
Sir Patrick enjoys swimming, badminton, track and field, basketball and cricket. He is married to Denise Patricia (nee Beckford) since July 20, 1975 and they have three children and three grandchildren.