Sir John William David Swan, KBE (born July 3, 1935) is a British-Bermudian territorial political figure (United Bermuda Party). A real estate developer, a political luminary and a philanthropist, Sir John W. Swan served as Premier of Bermuda from 1982 to 1995.
Sir John built his reputation through property development and is one of the island’s most highly respected entrepreneurs.
Elected to Parliament in 1972, the former Premier established the island as a major offshore financial center, and under Sir John’s stewardship the Government completed in excess of 20 major projects.
In 1985 Sir John led the negotiations and the completion of the Tax Treaty with the United States. The agreement resulted in the development of the insurance and reinsurance industries. The Bermuda delegation held several meetings with the most senior officials in the U.S. Government including the President, Vice-President, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor in order to successfully implement a tax treaty between Bermuda and the United States. These initiatives created a foundation for the island’s stable economy, well-developed infrastructure and regulatory framework.
Swan favoured independence of Bermuda from Britain, however following a referendum in 1995 that overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, he resigned as Premier.
In addition to serving as the Premier, Sir John was the Minister of Immigration and Labour from 1976 to 1982, the Minister of Marine and Air Services from 1975 to 1976, and Chairman of Bermuda Hospitals Board. He was also a founding member of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, Director of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and a Director of the Bermuda Employers Council.
Sir John transformed international trade, politics, and property development in Bermuda. In 1990 he was appointed by Her Majesty the Queen a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). In 1986 Sir John was awarded the Medal of Distinction in recognition of his humanitarian endeavours from the International Association of Lions Clubs. Sir John received the International Medal of Excellence from the Poor Richard Club of Philadelphia, the oldest press and advertising club in Philadelphia. He was admitted as a Senator to the Membership and Fellowship of the Senate of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 2002 Sir John was awarded the St. Paul’s A.M.E. Outstanding Service Award.
Sir John serves as Chairman of the Swan Group of Companies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College. In addition, he has been awarded a B.A. Honorary Fellowship at Bermuda College, Honorary Doctorate from West Virginia Wesleyan College, an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Atlantic Union College, and an Honorary Doctorate, Humane Letters from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Famous quotes containing the words john and/or swan:
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
—Bible: New Testament Matthew, 3:17.
A “voice from heaven,” following the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
“And of the swan in death these dreamers tell
of its last flight and how it falls, a plummet,
pierced by the freezing bullet
and how three feathers, loosened by the shot,
descend like snow upon it.”
—Patricia K. Page (b. 1916)