Former Governor General Sir Edmund Lawrence Dies at 93

Sir Edmund Wickham Lawrence, GCMG, OBE, CSM, JP, former Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis and one of the nation’s most accomplished figures in finance and public life, has died at the age of 93.

Born on 14 February 1932, Sir Edmund dedicated his life to education, banking, and national development. After teaching in elementary schools in the early 1950s, he pursued a degree in Economics at the University of London, graduating in 1966. He went on to lecture at Walbrook College in London before returning home to St. Kitts.

In 1970, Sir Edmund founded the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, transforming it from an institution with just US$75,000 in assets to one worth over US$1 billion, the largest local bank in the Eastern Caribbean. He later established the National Bank Trust Company (1972), the National Caribbean Insurance Company (1973), and the St. Kitts and Nevis Mortgage and Investment Company (2001), creating the National Bank Group of Companies.

Sir Edmund also played a regional role, as a founding member of the Standing Committee of Chief Executives of Indigenous Commercial Banks, now the Caribbean Association of Banks. Over more than four decades he held senior positions across the private and public sectors in St. Kitts and Nevis and throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

He was recognised with multiple honours during his lifetime: OBE in 1999, Companion of the Star of Merit in 2009, Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in 2010, and in 2013 Knight Grand Cross of the same order, following his appointment as Governor General.

Sworn in at midnight on 1 January 2013, Sir Edmund served as the federation’s third Governor General until May 2015. His investiture with the insignia of Knight Grand Cross was conducted in 2016 by HRH Prince Harry of Wales.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sir Edmund was deeply engaged in community life, supporting organisations including the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society and Rotary International. He was married to Lady Hulda Lawrence and together they raised six children.

Sir Edmund Lawrence passed away on 7 September 2025 at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy as a teacher, banker, statesman and nation-builder.