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News / August 02 2012 - Caribbean chairman receives honour from the Queen
Martyn Bould
Caribbean chairman receives honour from the Queen
Rider Levett Bucknall’s Caribbean chairman has been recognised in the Queen’s 2012 Birthday Honours List for his contribution to the Cayman Islands.
Martyn Bould will receive the accolade Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) (MBE) for services to cultural preservation and development.
It follows a recent honorary fellowship at the Cayman Society of Architects, Surveyors and Engineers for his work in the construction industry in the Cayman Islands.
Born in England in 1945, Martyn took up residence in the Cayman Islands in 1969 and took on a job as a quantity surveyor.
He has worked on a number of high profile projects in the region and is the director in charge of the US$3.5bn Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, the largest single phase development in the history of the Caribbean. The role involves leading a team of specialists including an onsite project monitor, a contract specialist, a programmer and cost engineer.
Martyn said: “I have always enjoyed the challenge of construction and was attracted to the Caribbean as an area which would benefit from an ordered approach. The region faced a number of specific issues, including the need to import both materials and skilled expertise, and it’s been inspirational to be part of the industry as it has evolved.
I have worked on many exciting projects throughout the Caribbean in all sectors but by far the most interesting is the Baha Mar resort in Nassau. It is being funded and built by the Chinese and I think my cultural experience has been almost as important as my professional training.”
Outside of work, Martyn is well known for his support of the arts. He helped to develop a purpose-built theatre for the Islands’ actors, the Harquail Theatre and Cultural Centre, which led to the establishment of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF).
Martyn said: “What started out as a construction project developed into something much bigger. Not only did it make us stop and look at what the physical needs of local theatre were, but it also made us think about Cayman’s heritage and the potential for its cultural development.”
Martyn served as vice chairman of the CNCF board from 1984 onwards, before becoming chairman in 1995. Highlights during this period include the establishment of Cayman’s own story-telling festival, Gimistory, and the Islands’ annual celebration of the arts, Cayfest.
Apart from his work at the foundation, Martyn is also a founding board member of the
National Gallery and was chairman of the building committee which, following 12 years of fundraising, finally saw the completion of the new National Gallery building this year.
News / August 02 2012 - Caribbean chairman receives honour from the Queen