Select a region
Guernsey's Bailiff has been Knighted by King Charles III in his first Birthday Honours List, making him Sir Richard McMahon on account of his service to the Crown and Community in the Bailiwick.
Sir Richard is the island's 90th Bailiff, and the first to be born elsewhere.
His career brought him to Guernsey in 1995 and he has worked as HM Comptroller, and Queen's Counsel, before being appointed Deputy Bailiff in 2012 and sworn in as Bailiff in 2020.
Sir Richard has written many academic works and has been involved with the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth.
He often works closely with the Lieutenant Governor to represent the Bailiwick including on the occasion of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and at King Charles III's coronation.
Sir Richard said he found out about his Knighthood from His Excellency a few weeks ago.
"His Excellency informed me that I had been recommended for a Knighthood and was I prepared to accept it, and without any hesitation I said yes."
Sir Richard said he is very proud of the honour and paid tribute to his team of staff who assist him in his duties, "without the support of whom I couldn't do what I'm doing" he said.
"It is a personal honour because it is me that gets it, but I think it's fair to say that it is recognition of the Office of Bailiff. A number of my predecessors have been similarly honoured and I think that leaves the office of Bailiff in good standing among the community that people are pleased - I hope they're pleased anyway - that the current holder gets that same recognition as his predecessors."
The Bailiff's role is split into three parts - the judicial, the parliamentary and the civic role.
Sir Richard said he enjoys each of the roles for different reasons, but the civic part of it enables him to meet people across the community.
He is patron of around 40 charities.
"I certainly get across a wide range of different organisations," he said.
"I thoroughly enjoy whatever I have to do."
Pictured: Sir Richard McMahon received one of four honours bestowed on recipients in the Bailiwick. Alan Gough (top left) received the MBE for services to music. Kevin Adams (bottom left) received the BEM for services to Sark, and David Warr (bottom right) received an OBE for services to the community.
In his free time, Sir Richard has previously been involved in local choirs - including singing under Alan Gough as conductor. He praised Mr Gough who has been awarded an MBE for his services to music in Guernsey.
Sir Richard also encouraged anyone who had considered nominating someone for an honour to do so.
"We're incredibly fortunate to live somewhere so nice and to have such a positive sense on the whole across the community. People put themselves up for the voluntary sector across the islands, and without them, where would we be."
“It’s just great bringing people together to make music”
Kevin Adams "embodies the spirit" of Sark
"I could not have achieved what we have without quite a few other people"
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.