STEVE Cartwright has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to the community as the Bailiff’s chief officer.
There are three main elements to the role of Bailiff of Jersey which means Mr Cartwright has three jobs as well.
The Bailiff represents the government on special occasions, is head of the judiciary and presides over sittings of the States Assembly, and Mr Cartwright has to help with them all.
The citation states that he is being honoured for services to the community. He sees it as for the ability to spin three plates at once.
He explains: “It was my responsibility to oversee events like the royal visit and Memorial Day.
“I have to make sure the courts are functioning properly, working with the Judicial Greffes and ensuring we have enough judges, security staff and court rooms.
“And I work with States Members and help with their requests, such as during Covid, when Deputy Raluca Kovacs wanted to organise a Romanian Orthodox service in Howard Davis Park.”
He says he tries to follow three guiding principles in all his work: “Keep it simple. If it feels wrong, it’s because it will be wrong. When you do things well for people, they won’t know that you did anything at all.”
Mr Cartwright was born and brought up in Jersey and, after attending the University of Plymouth, he served as an officer in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
He worked for the States Assembly first as international relations officer and then, after a short spell as a manager with Jersey Financial Services Commission, he moved to his present role almost eight years ago.
At 43, he is one of the younger recipients of an MBE – with perhaps the notable exception of The Beatles.
And he was taken aback when he heard about it. “I couldn’t speak. I was absolutely stunned. You don’t do the job expecting to get an honour,” he says.
“And I know so many people who work so hard. If somebody had told me 20 years ago that I would be nominated for one, I would have laughed at them.”
However, friends and relatives pointed out to him that he would not have been put forward if he didn’t deserve it.
He says: “I’m chuffed to bits. But I’m supported by a great team, so it’s partly for the team.”
