“From the Crown to the Classroom”: How Chevening Scholars Have Shaped St. Kitts and Nevis
TIMES CARIBBEAN FEATURE | EDUCATION & EXCELLENCE
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — August 7, 2025 — For over four decades, the Chevening Scholarship—funded by the UK Government—has opened academic gateways for high-potential individuals across the Commonwealth. In St. Kitts and Nevis, the prestigious scholarship has produced a cadre of professionals who now stand as diplomats, ministers, entrepreneurs, educators, and technocrats. But as the twin-island federation faces a puzzling three-year drought in Chevening selections since 2022, it’s worth revisiting the legacy of the nation’s Chevening alumni and the undeniable impact they’ve had on national development.
A LEGACY THAT BEGAN IN 1984
The Chevening journey in St. Kitts and Nevis began with Conrad Kelly in 1984. A visionary agriculturalist and devout Christian leader, Kelly studied Crop Physiology at Cambridge and Development Policy at City St. George’s. He later became a leading agronomist and development consultant, shaping food systems and environmental policy across the Caribbean. His academic success and career set the gold standard for all who followed.
In 1985, the torch passed to Buell Bart, a gifted musician and cultural icon whose storied career as a performer and music educator has touched generations in the Federation and abroad. His Chevening experience at the Polytechnic of Wales not only honed his communication skills but also elevated his global artistic presence, making him one of the most distinguished cultural ambassadors of the Federation.
DIPLOMATIC EXCELLENCE: KEVIN ISAAC & SONIA BODDIE-THOMPSON
Perhaps the most globally recognized Chevening alum is His Excellency Dr. Kevin M. Isaac, who earned his scholarship in 1994. A career diplomat, author, and scholar, Isaac has served as St. Kitts and Nevis’ High Commissioner to the UK and Permanent Representative to the IMO. With degrees from the University of the West Indies, University of Warwick, Birmingham, and Toulouse-Mirail, Isaac has become a global voice on diplomacy, law, and governance.
Following in his diplomatic footsteps is Sonia Boddie-Thompson (2011), who rose from Clerk of the National Assembly to now serving as Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations. Her trajectory exemplifies the Chevening spirit of transformative leadership and strategic global engagement.
LEGAL TRAILBLAZERS & GENDER ADVOCATES
Kurlyn Merchant (2014) and Jihan Williams-Knight (2013) have used their legal acumen to shape justice in the Federation. Kurlyn, Principal of Merchant Legal Chambers, is also the Director of Affluent Homes Limited. Her father, Frederick Augustine Merchant, was a Chevening recipient in 1989, making them the first father-daughter Chevening duo from St. Kitts and Nevis—a generational legacy of excellence.
Jihan Williams-Knight, now Registrar of the Intellectual Property Office, has also served as Assistant Registrar and Crown Counsel. Her contributions to national legal architecture and legislative reform are profound.
A FULL LIST OF CHEVENING SCHOLARS FROM ST. KITTS & NEVIS
| Year | Name | Notable Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Conrad Kelly | Agronomist, Policy Consultant |
| 1985 | Buell Bart | Music Educator & Cultural Icon |
| 1989 | Frederick Augustine Merchant | Director of Agriculture, Public Servant |
| 1989 | Mary Spooner | Unknown |
| 1989 | Eugene Petty | Former PS & Supervisor of Elections |
| 1990 | Anthony Luis Mills | Unknown |
| 1992 | Jackie Flemming | Senior Education Officer, Camp Planner |
| 1993 | Perryette Peets | Unknown |
| 1994 | Dr. Kevin Isaac | High Commissioner to UK |
| 1996 | Beverly Harris | Former PS & Director of Statistics |
| 2002 | Hazel Brandy-Williams | Former Nevis Minister of Health |
| 2005 | Cuthbert Caines | Unknown |
| 2008 | Raoul Pemberton | Director, Planning & Environment |
| 2010 | Wendy Elliot Williams | Unknown |
| 2011 | Sonia Boddie-Thompson | Diplomat, United Nations |
| 2012 | Kenrod Roberts | Power Systems Engineer, SKELEC |
| 2013 | Jihan Williams-Knight | Registrar, IPO |
| 2014 | Kurlyn Merchant | Attorney, Real Estate Developer |
| 2014 | Kimberly Evelyn-Lazarus | Architect, Sustainability Expert |
| 2015 | Vondez Phipps | Barrister, UK |
| 2016 | Shanelle Simmonds | Diplomat, OAS |
| 2017 | Crios Freeman | Legal Aid Attorney |
| 2018 | Dillon Webbe | Architect, Sustainable Engineer |
| 2021 | Michelle Slack-Clarke | Managing Partner, WSCW Law Firm |
| 2022 | Joy Napier | Founder, Nevis Int’l Secondary School |
CHEVENING’S IMPACT ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
From the Ministries of Health, Education, and Foreign Affairs to private law practices and entrepreneurship, Chevening Scholars have occupied critical roles in shaping modern St. Kitts and Nevis.
- Hazel Brandy-Williams brought strategic financial and health policy to Nevis through her tenure as Minister of Health and Gender Affairs.
- Michelle Slack-Clarke now leads a prominent civil law firm—Walwyn Slack Clarke & White.
- Joy Napier, the most recent awardee, is the visionary behind the Nevis International Secondary School and a global youth empowerment advocate.
- Kenrod Roberts helped modernize the Needsmust Power Station.
- Dillon Webbe’s firm, Bright Light Architecture, pioneers sustainable building design.
THE SCHOLARSHIP DROUGHT: 2023–2025
The absence of any awardees since 2022 has sparked concern. Stakeholders speculate that a mix of poor application strategies, inadequate essay preparation, and weak interviews may be contributing factors. With regional peers like Guyana and Jamaica continuing to secure multiple awards annually, the silence in St. Kitts and Nevis raises alarms.
MOVING FORWARD: A CALL TO ACTION
With a prestigious history and a trail of achievers to emulate, St. Kitts and Nevis must rekindle its Chevening fire. This means preparing candidates with stronger writing skills, robust policy knowledge, and compelling leadership stories. Perhaps a formal mentorship programme—led by past scholars—could revive the pipeline.
The future of national development will demand skilled negotiators, ethical legal minds, innovative engineers, and forward-thinking educators. The Chevening Scholarship remains one of the best tickets to get there.
It’s time to re-engage, reapply, and reimagine.
By Times Caribbean Education Desk
Feature Series: Scholarship Legacies of the Federation
For application details, visit: www.chevening.org
#CheveningLegacy #SKNExcellence #TimesCaribbean #EducationMatters #CheveningScholars
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.