His Majesty King Charles III has recognized the following individuals in the 2026 New Year’s Honours and Awards.
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Gaynell Hayward - Caesar – for services to healthcare and public service in Bermuda
King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour:
- Don MacKenzie – for services to the community
- Neil Patterson - for services to the community
- Joanne Brangman - for services to the community
- Henrik Schroder - for services to the development of sports in Bermuda
Gaynell Hayward-Caesar – OBE
Gaynell Hayward-Caesar is being honoured for her outstanding services to healthcare and public service in Bermuda. With over 50 years of experience in nursing and public health, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation. Most notably, Gaynell Hayward-Caesar is credited for her pioneering work in establishing and leading Bermuda’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). As the island’s first sexual assault nurse, she has been instrumental in developing forensic nursing services and advocating for vulnerable populations, ensuring survivors receive compassionate, coordinated, and professional care. Her leadership in this critical area has transformed Bermuda’s ability to respond to sexual assault cases with dignity and justice. She continues to advocate for vulnerable populations through her coordination of the SART. Other notable achievements include establishing Bermuda’s first COVID-19 drive-through testing site, securing critical PPE supplies during the pandemic. And she also broke barriers as the first Black manager of the maternity ward. As Chief Nursing Officer for the Department of Health, she has championed patient care, resource accessibility, and community health initiatives. Her dedication to mentoring and empowering others reflects her lifelong commitment to improving healthcare locally and internationally.
Don Mackenzie – for services to the community
Mr. Don Mackenzie is being honoured for his leadership in entrepreneurship and community development. A passionate advocate for innovation and inclusion, he co-founded Ignite Bermuda, an entrepreneurial accelerator that has empowered over 600 entrepreneurs and community leaders, creating 282 jobs. Beyond entrepreneurship, Mr. Mackenzie has demonstrated lifelong voluntary service, including roles as Chairman of Family Centre, Trustee of the Bermuda Hospital Charitable Trust, and Commissioner of the SAGE Commission, as well as co-founding the Bermuda Infrastructure Fund. Through sports and civic leadership, he has inspired progress, opportunity, and community impact.
Neil Patterson – for services to the community
Neil Patterson, former Chairman of KPMG Bermuda and Co-Founder of Ignite Bermuda, is being recognised for his exceptional voluntary service to the community through entrepreneurship and governance. Neil has championed entrepreneurial development, mentoring founders and scaling ventures that strengthen the island’s economic resilience. His work emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and sustainable impact, positioning Ignite as a catalyst for transformative change.
Mr. Patterson was instrumental in establishing Ignite's governance, financial systems, and impact measurement framework, ensuring transparency and sustainability. Beyond organisational leadership, Neil dedicates substantial time to mentoring entrepreneurs and shaping policy, fostering collaboration between corporate and community sectors. His influence has strengthened Bermuda’s non-profit sector and inspired a culture of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Passionate about empowering people and building ecosystems that thrive, Neil continues to shape initiatives that connect innovation with community progress.
Joanne Brangman – for services to the community
Ms. C. Joanne Brangman is recognised for more than four decades of distinguished service as Director of the Department of Libraries and Archives. Beginning her career in 1982 at the Bermuda Youth Library, she rose to leadership after earning her Master of Library Science in 1984. Under her guidance, the Department underwent transformative change, including the merger of the Bermuda National Library and Archives, the introduction of public internet access, and the launch of digital collections and preservation initiatives.
Ms. Brangman championed community outreach, expanded learning platforms, and created spaces that celebrate Bermuda’s cultural heritage. Her leadership earned multiple awards, including Best of Bermuda and a Bermuda National Trust Service Award. Beyond her many achievements, she is most proud of mentoring and developing her team, fostering excellence in public service. Having recently retired, she remains committed to advancing the vision of a unified library facility, continuing her lifelong mission to inspire learning and strengthen community.
Henrik Schroder – for services to sports in Bermuda
Henrik Schroder is being recognized for his exceptional services to youth football development in Bermuda, spanning more than 20 years of voluntary contribution. Beginning in 2004 as Director of the Saltus Grammar School Football Program, Henrik co-founded the ABC Football School and Foundation with renowned coach Andrew Bascome. His efforts have been pivotal in creating Bermuda’s largest youth football program, the Bascome Football School, and establishing the Bermuda Football Coaches Association, which introduced UEFA coaching licenses locally. Henrik’s leadership through the ABC Foundation has provided bursaries, scholarships, and overseas opportunities for young players, as well as coach education programs that elevated Bermuda’s football standards to international levels. His initiatives have benefitted hundreds of local young people, breaking barriers to education and careers while promoting community engagement through sport. Henrik’s unwavering commitment and vision have profoundly impacted Bermuda’s youth and football community.