His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J was appointed Governor-General of Jamaica on 26th February 2009. He is the sixth person and the fifth Jamaican to hold this position since Independence in 1962.

Born in Fruitful Vale, Portland on 7th February 1951 to Ferdinand and Christiana Allen, he received his early education at the Fruitful Vale All-Age School and later at the Moneague College, St. Ann, graduating with a Diploma in Teaching in 1972. He was a classroom Teacher between 1969 and 1976. In 1976, he was appointed Principal of the Robin’s Bay All-Age School, St Mary and in 1979 he became Principal of the Hillside Primary School, St Mary. He was later Principal of the Port Maria High School, St Mary from 1981-1983.

In 1985, he completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History with Honours from the Andrews University, Michigan, USA. He also received a Master of Arts Degree in Systematic Theology (1986) and a Ph.D. in Education Administration and Supervision (1998) from Andrews University.

Between 1986 and 1991, His Excellency served as a Pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, and from 1990 to 1993 was Director of Education in the Adventist Educational System in Jamaica, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He returned to Andrews University in 1993 and served as Assistant Registrar from 1996 until 1998 whilst pursuing Doctoral studies. Upon his return to Jamaica that same year, he was elected President of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He served in that position until 2000 when he was appointed President of the West Indies Union of SDA, with responsibility for churches and related organizations in Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands and The Bahamas.

His Excellency has held other leadership positions in the Adventist Church including Chairman of the Northern Caribbean University Board; Andrews Memorial Hospital (Jamaica); the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA); and the Book and Nutrition Company. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Bible Society of the West Indies.

His record of public service includes membership on the Board of several organizations including the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, the Police Civilian Oversight Authority, and the Strategic Review Implementation Oversight Committee of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. He is a Justice of the Peace for the Parish of Manchester.

Other awards and accomplishments include:

  • Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester (2009)
  • Honorary Doctor of Laws from Andrews University, Michigan, USA (2010)
  • Honorary Doctor of Laws from Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama, USA (2010)
  • Listed in ‘Who is Who’ in American Universities and Colleges (1985).
  • Membership in the Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta and Alpha Mu Gamma Honours Societies.

On assuming the role of Governor-General in 2009, Sir Patrick became Chancellor of the Societies of Honour, which administers the National Honours and Awards Programme. In 2010, he was appointed President of the Jamaica Institute of Management.

He is Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaican Armed Forces and was appointed Chancellor of the Caribbean Military Academy in 2021. The Academy was established in 2019.

His Excellency was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on 12th June 2009, receiving the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG). He was previously awarded the Order of the Nation (ON) in February 2009 at his installation as Governor-General and Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD) in August 2006. In September 2013, His Excellency was conferred with the Honour of a Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (KSt.J).

Sir Patrick believes that the journey from obscurity to national life is achievable by any Jamaican young person who works diligently and creatively, thinks generously and honestly. Even if a person is not visible in his or her work, that person should have a sense of satisfaction and pride in a job well done because he has achieved his potential and given his best contribution to life.

His Excellency enjoys swimming, badminton, track and field, basketball and cricket. He is married to Denise Patricia (nee Beckford) since July 20, 1975 and they have three children and eight grandchildren.