PRESS RELEASE : Bahamian honoured by the City of London [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2023.

Steven Boon has been made Freeman of the City of London at the Guild Hall — the First Bahamian to ever receive this honour.

The British High Commission’s Wine and Spirits Advisor, Steven Boon from New Providence, was given a rare honour on Tuesday 6 June, when he was made a Freeman of the City of London. Steven was recognised by his industry peers for making an international contribution to the industry. The ceremony took place in private at the British Residence in Nassau, with the British High Commissioner officiating on behalf of the Guild Hall in London.

Steve Boon is recognised for his contributions to the Wine and Spirits industry. He is the youngest Bahamian to qualify as a wine and spirits lecturer with WSET, the only Bahamian to be the representative of the Court of Master Sommeliers in The Bahamas, and the only Bahamian to be a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, founded in 1637 (There are only 460 liverymen).

In 2022 Steven Boon was appointed as the British High Commissioner’s Wine and Spirits Advisor to help the UK with the promotion, distribution, and education surrounding British spirits in The Bahamas. He is working on a number of high profile events for 2023, including at the International Food Festival and involving high quality training of industry staff, and is supporting three Bahamian rum companies wanting to become the first Bahamian rum distributed in the UK.

British High Commissioner ,Thomas Hartley, said:

I am incredibly proud of Steven Boon. Ever since he joined my team he has been such a force for good in supporting Bahamian exporters and importers in the wine and spirits industry.

And this recognition – a rare honour even within the UK – rightly recognises Steven as the most qualified drinker in The Bahamas! Our huge congratulations, and thank you for helping bring Britain and Bahamas closer together.

Background on the Freedom of the City of London at the Guild Hall

The ‘Freedom’ dates back to the 13th Century, and is granted as a recognition of the prominence and influence of the individual in their trade. Known as Liverymen or Liverywomen, it has historically been used to recognise those in the private sector who are at the top of their industry and who have freedom from being under the jurisdiction of a feudal Lord.

In the Middle Ages, this developed into a freedom or right to trade, becoming closely linked to the medieval guilds – the livery companies. In 1835 eligibility for the freedom of the City was extended to anyone who lived in, worked in or had a strong connection to the City. The freedom that citizens enjoy has long associations with privileges in the governance of the City in the past, has given them privileges in London such as the right to drive sheep across Southwark Bridge.

In modern times, the Lord Mayor of London must be elected from amongst this group of Liverymen. There is a long-standing tradition of the City admitting women to the freedom. Although they are now usually called freemen as well, historically the term was free sisters. The most recent recipient of the honour is England International and Tottenham Hotspur football clubs Harry Kane.

Background on Steven Boon

• President, Wine & Spirit Guys , the leading strategic wine and spirit consultancy in the Bahamas ,100% Bahamian owned, Wine & Spirit Adviser to BHC and leading hospitality resorts.
• Consultant to Bollinger Champagne for over 20 years
• 40 years in the wine & spirit industry in the Bahamas and internationally
• Youngest Bahamian to qualify as a wine & spirit lecturer with WSET aged 21
• 1st/Only Bahamian to be the representative of Court of Master Sommeliers in the Bahamas
• 1st/Only Bahamian to be a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers , founded in 1637.(There are only 460 liverymen)
• 1st/Only Bahamian to be made a Freeman of The City of London-in connection with the wine & spirit industry