Sir Trevor McDonald honoured at UWI London Benefit Dinner celebrating Caribbean achievement

The veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald was among the leading Caribbean figures honoured at a London gala celebrating regional achievement, with awards also presented to Baroness Patricia Scotland and Ambassador Theresa Roberts at The UWI’s annual benefit dinner

Sir Trevor McDonald was among the distinguished figures recognised at this year’s UWI London Benefit Dinner, an event celebrating Caribbean excellence and raising funds for postgraduate climate-action scholarships.

The broadcaster, one of the UK’s most respected journalists, was honoured alongside Baroness Patricia Scotland and Ambassador Theresa Roberts at the black-tie ceremony, held in the Great Hall of Lincoln’s Inn. 

Other guests included prominent political and cultural figures including Diane Abbott, Baroness Floella Benjamin and Professor Shirley Thompson. Nathalie Emmanuel, the Dominican-British actor, served as master of ceremonies.

The dinner, now in its second year and themed “Educate to Elevate”, highlighted the region’s contribution to public life while drawing attention to the role of education in advancing climate resilience.

Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, told attendees: “The UWI London Benefit Dinner is a signature event that celebrates varying expressions of Caribbean excellence. It was gratifying to see the overwhelming support from friends of The UWI in the UK, who believe in our mission to blend research, innovation and advocacy to drive climate action.

“The passage of Hurricane Melissa is a sobering reminder that this work must continue and we stand in solidarity with Jamaica during this difficult time.”

The event also recognised philanthropist Ambassador Theresa Roberts and Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Scotland, the first woman to hold the post and the UK’s first female Attorney General.

Proceeds from the evening will fund postgraduate scholarships for students across the Caribbean focused on climate action and ESG themes. 

Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, Executive Director of UWI Advancement, said the programme was “empowering the next generation to carry forward this essential work to ensure that the Caribbean remains not a victim of climate change, but a vanguard of sustainable innovation.”

A silent auction and live bidding segment featured prizes including resort stays across the region and a dining experience with Sir Lenny Henry, last year’s honouree.

Sir Trevor McDonald, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, received a Luminary Award recognising a career that has spanned decades at ITV, including anchoring News at Ten and hosting Tonight with Trevor McDonald. He was knighted in 1999 for services to journalism.

READ MORE: ‘Dominican Republic positions itself as Caribbean hub for sustainable trade and investment‘. With historic growth in both exports and foreign direct investment, supported by structural reforms and innovative tools such as the Single Investment Window, the country is presenting itself as a strategic partner for Europe and the wider world.

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_{Main image: Credit, The University of the West Indies}