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Deputy Lyndon Trott is the first sitting politician since Roger Berry to receive an OBE – a span of 22 years.
The current P&R President has been recognised in the New Year Honours list for Services to Guernsey.
Deputy Heidi Soulsby was the last politician to receive recognition from the Crown, following her work during the covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Trott first entered the States in 2000 and has since twice served as Chief Minister, spent time in the Deputy role, as well as a spell as the island's Treasury Minister.
During his career, he has worked with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Leadership Council of TheCityUK, and was appointed the Chair of Guernsey Finance in 2014.
"I am enormously grateful"
Deputy Trott said to be awarded an OBE was is a great honour, and one to be shared with his closest friends and family.
"I am enormously grateful," he said. “This is really recognition of the many people I’ve worked with, political members, public servants, business colleagues and many other people in the Guernsey community. It’s a very special community which I’m deeply proud to have served for so many years and it has been a team effort.
“In particular, it is my family who deserve recognition because they – like the families of all those who enter public political life – give a huge amount in terms of support, patience and understanding.
"Politics in a small and passionate community is often intense, it seldom makes you popular and it takes up a lot of your life, and that’s fine as a personal choice but it’s harder to ask it of your family. My family has been incredibly supportive and I can’t thank them enough."
He added: “I’d also like to thank my own political mentors from whom I learned a great deal in my early years – in particular former Deputy Roger Berry who was himself honoured with an OBE, 22 years ago to the day.
“I hope this honour adds to the recognition for Guernsey’s government as a whole, and to the jurisdiction’s reputation for professionalism, stability and security, which is what we have been known for over my long career in public service.
“But I’m very conscious that this award comes at a time when many people are frustrated with the political process. I share those frustrations – our public finances remain unbalanced, cost of living rises have made life harder for many people, and we are still investing far too little in our island and our economy.
"So while I am hugely grateful to receive this honour, my focus remains on the very big workload that we have to get through in the remaining months of this political term."
Previously Deputy Trott has said this term will be his last in public office. When asked by Express if the addition of letters to his name will mean a change in plans, Deputy Trott chose not to comment.
His political achievements include helping secure tax agreements to ensure Guernsey featured on the G20 whitelist, the development of the Guernsey Depositor Compensation scheme and brokering an MoU with the UK Government to enhance the island's international reputation. His first spell as Chief Minister also saw Deputy Trott leading efforts to buy two fuel ships to avert a potential crisis.
Meanwhile, three people in Jersey have been recognised.
There were MBEs for Steve Cartwright and Ruth Smith for services to community as Chief Officer of Jersey's Bailiff's Chambers and for service to the community in Kenya respectively.
Jeaninne Carey received the British Empire Medal for services to the disability community in Jersey.
Any individual or group may nominate a Guernsey resident for a national Honour by contacting the Bailiff's Chambers and requesting an Honours Nomination Form. The form, together with guidance notes, can be found here.
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