The International Association of Business Leaders named Bermuda?s Minister of the Environment, Neletha Butterfield, as the International Business Leader of the Year for 2005.

The announcement was made over the weekend during the Association?s Annual Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

A spokesman for the Association, Yvonne Guy, said yesterday that Ms Butterfield was now one of an elite group of individuals who represent a remarkable range of professional interests, yet share a common bond in their relentless efforts to make their organisation, their community, their country and the world a better place.

Ms Butterfield was selected from more than 7,500 well qualified nominees.

In February last year, Ms Butterfield was one of a select group to be honoured with membership in the International Association of Business Leaders.

Ms Butterfield was selected in recognition of her contribution to the Bermuda community and an acknowledgement that she shares the IABL?s vision to promote understanding and respect between different cultures and communities around the world.

Ms Butterfield has led an active life in education, business, community activities and politics for more than 20 years.

She founded a computer-based alternative learning centre, CARE (Children and Adults Reaching for Education) to provide opportunities for students to achieve academic success through non-traditional methods.

CARE has helped more than 400 adults graduate with a high-school diploma and taught more than 250 inmates in the Island?s correctional facilities.

IABL is a US-based organisation which lists its primary role as a networking vehicle for executives, professionals, managers and entrepreneurs. According to the group?s website (leadersofbusiness.org) IABL has over 18,000 members worldwide.