Vance Amory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Amory in 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd & 4th Premier of Nevis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 23 January 2013 – 19 December 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Joseph Parry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Mark Brantley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 2 June 1992 – 11 July 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Simeon Daniel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Joseph Parry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Vance Winkworth Amory 22 May 1949 Rawlins, Gingerland, Nevis, Saint Christopher and Nevis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 2 April 2022 London, England, United Kingdom | (aged 72)|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Political party | Concerned Citizens' Movement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alma mater | University of the West Indies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cricket information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling | Leg break googly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1968/69–1980/81 | Leeward Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1969/70–1980/81 | Combined Leeward and Windward Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source:
CricketArchive, 14 October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vance Winkworth Amory (22 May 1949 – 2 April 2022 [1]) was a Saint Kitts and Nevis politician and cricketer. He served two stints as Premier of Nevis, from 1992 to 2006 and from 2013 to 2017, [1] and served as the Minister of Sports in the Nevis Island Administration. [2] He founded and led the Concerned Citizens' Movement. [3] The airport in Nevis, Vance W. Amory International Airport, bears his name.
Amory was born on 22 May 1949 in Rawlins Village. [4] He received his elementary, primary and secondary school education in Nevis. [4] He has been an active member of a local church in Nevis since childhood. [4]
Amory was known for his fondness for cricket. [4] An opening batsman, he played first-class cricket for the Combined Islands and the Leeward Islands from 1969 to 1981. [2] His highest score was 88, for Leeward Islands against Windward Islands in 1977–78, when he helped to ensure a draw after Leeward Islands trailed by 167 runs on the first innings. [5] In his last match he captained Leeward Islands against the touring English team in March 1981, scoring 37 and 56. [6] He suffered injuries during his career, including a broken nose that caused him to be carried off the field. [4]
Amory excelled academically, obtaining passes in 5 out of available 7 GCE 'O' level subjects at Charlestown Secondary School. [4] He subsequently achieved his 'A' grade levels in St. Kitts, and went on to the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. [4] Then he returned home in 1973 to teach students at Charlestown Secondary School. [4]
He taught at Gingerland Secondary School from 1974 to 1977, including a period of six months as acting headmaster. [4] Then, at the age of 28, he became the youngest headmaster of Charlestown Secondary School. [4] He took an institution that was lagging seriously behind and almost single-handedly restored acceptable grades and credibility. [4] The transition from GCE 'O' levels to CXC and the newly introduced sports programs were among some of the challenges that he overcame, despite opposition. [4] He assisted greatly with the education improvement of thousands during his days as teacher and principal. [4]
Between 1981 and 1983 Amory was manager of the St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla National Bank, during which time he aided many individuals in obtaining well needed financing. [4] That Bank was relatively new on Nevis and had its early difficulties. [4] Nevis residents were very cautious in doing business with the institution and Amory set his mind to change this. [4] The bank thereafter experienced healthy financial growth. [4] He was also instrumental in overseeing the purchase of the land on which National Bank sits today. [4]
In 1983, Amory applied for and successfully received a position in the finance department of the Nevis Island Government. [4] He was then promoted to Permanent Secretary in Finance, under the premiership of Dr. Simeon Daniel. [4] It was from that position that Amory learned the ins and outs of governance. [4] He took study leave in September 1986 to further his education at University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus. [7] He resigned his position in December of that year and reported that he wanted to dedicate himself for the betterment of Nevis. [4]
In 1987 he organised a political party, the Concerned Citizens Movement. [4] In 1992, he became Premier of Nevis and served until 2006. [4] His transformation of the face of Nevis can be seen in many facets. He played a substantial role in securing the funding for the construction of the airport. [4] There were numerous regulatory obstacles strewn in path of the airport development and numerous delays by the Basseterre Government (in Saint Kitts) in extending a loan guarantee. [4] His commitment to the successful completion of the project is one reason that the airport bears his name. [4] In 1996, he announced plans for Nevis to secede from St. Kitts, but the resulting 1998 referendum failed to reach the necessary two-thirds majority. [8] He was an elected member of the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and served as the leader of the opposition [9] from 2000 to 2004.
Amory served a second term from 2013 to 2017. [1]
Amory died of cancer in a London hospital on 2 April 2022, at the age of 72. [10]