ST JOHN’S, Antigua, May 24, CMC – Sir Aziz Hadeed, one of Antigua and Barbuda’s best-known businessmen, philanthropists and public figures, has died.
Sir Aziz died on Saturday after a lifetime that spanned business, politics, education, aviation, energy and charitable work across Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean.
Widely regarded as one of the chief architects of the Hadeed Group of Companies, Sir Aziz joined the family business in 1965 after completing his secondary education.
While working, he pursued studies and training in accounting and business through correspondence courses, developing the business acumen that would later help shape one of the Eastern Caribbean’s leading enterprises.
In 1980, he became chairman of the Hadeed Group and oversaw its transformation into a multi-million-dollar corporation with investments across several sectors.
Under his stewardship, the company expanded into regional aviation and energy. Sir Aziz served as chairman of the board of LIAT (1974) Limited
Beyond business, Sir Aziz also had a lengthy career in public service. He was appointed an Independent Senator in 1994 and served two terms before later joining Cabinet from 2004 to 2006.
Last October, Sir Aziz was knighted by Prince William at Windsor Castle, receiving the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George in recognition of his contributions to national development and philanthropy.
In recent years, Sir Aziz became closely associated with the growth and development of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, where he served as inaugural chairman of the board beginning in 2019.
CMC/ab/kb/2026