His Excellency The Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, was appointed Governor-General of Jamaica on 26 February 2009.   

Early life and education

Sir Patrick Allen spent his formative years growing up in the community of Fruitful Vale, Portland.  He was educated at the Fruitful Vale All-Age School, Moneague College, and Andrews University in Michigan, USA.  He is a trained teacher with a BA (Honors) in History, MA in Religion (Systematic Theology), and a PhD in Education (Administration and Supervision).

Career

A noted Christian, Sir Patrick Allen served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in various capacities for 28 years.  He has served as Principal, Pastor, Director and President in the Central Jamaica Conference and West Indies Union Conference respectively.

Sir Patrick is no stranger to public service in Jamaica, having taught in public schools for ten years, and while working with the church, served on the boards of the Government’s Public Broadcasting Commission, Police Civilian Oversight Authority, and the Strategic Oversight Commission.  He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Northern Caribbean University for eight and a half years, was a Vice Chairman of the Board of the Bible Society of the West Indies, and through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), gave oversight to extensive community interventions. 

Honours and awards

He was knighted by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in June 2009.  Sir Patrick Allen is a member of the Order of the Nation (ON), Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG), Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD).  His other awards and accomplishments include: An Honorary Doctor of Public Service, being 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.

On 2 September 2013, Sir Patrick was invested as a Knight of Grace of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.

Personal life

Sir Patrick enjoys badminton, track and field, basketball and cricket.  He and Her Excellency, The Most Hon. Lady Allen have been married for almost 35 years and have three adult children and three grand children.