Gaston Browne
| Gaston Alphanso Browne | |
|---|---|
 Gaston Browne and Anton Bakov during talks on the Imperial Throne | |
| Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda | |
|
Assumed office 13 June 2014 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General |
Louise Lake-Tack Rodney Williams |
| Preceded by | Baldwin Spencer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
9 February 1967 Potters Village, Antigua and Barbuda |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Browne |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater |
City Banking College University of Manchester |
Gaston Browne (born 9 February 1967) is the 4th and current Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, in office since 2014. He led the Antigua Labour Party to victory in the June 2014 general election.[1]
Early life and career
Browne was born on 9 February 1967, in Potters Village on the island of Antigua.[2][3] His life as a teenager was extremely tough. As a child, he lived in Grays Farm – commonly referred to as the ghetto on the island – with his paternal great-grandmother, who was in her eighties, at the time, partially blind, poor and aging. After her passing, he later grew up in Point, another poor area on island.[2]
Browne was appointed to the position of Commercial Banking Manager in the Swiss American Banking Group, having served for many years in the Group, which was a major banking consortium in Antigua and Barbuda, comprising offshore and onshore banks and a trust company. In 1999, Browne answered an obvious call to promote the welfare of his fellow citizens by entering the political arena. He was duly appointed as the Parliamentary Representative for the Constituency of St. John's City West. His outstanding dedication and commitment to service and distinguished credentials in the field of finance propelled him to the portfolio of Minister of Planning, Trade, Industry, Commerce and Public Service Affairs in his very first term as an MP.[4]
Education
As a child, he attended the Villa Primary School and later the Princess Margaret School after successfully passing the nation's common entrance examination. After completing his secondary education, Gaston attended the City Banking College in the United Kingdom, where he gained a first degree in banking and later pursued studies at the University of Manchester, he earning an MBA in Finance.[5][6]
Prime Minister
Gaston Browne led the Antigua Labour Party to victory in the 12 June 2014 general election, after 10 years in opposition, winning 14 out of 17 seats. Browne was sworn in as Prime Minister on 13 June 2014.[7] He defeated Baldwin Spencer's UPP, which had ruled for 10 years.
Family and personal life
Browne is married to Maria Bird, niece of the second Prime Minister Lester Bird.[8] The couple have a son, Prince Gaston Browne,[6] who is Browne's fourth son, as he had three children prior to marriage.
References
- ↑ "Antigua's new government – Déjà vu", Americas view, The Economist, 17 July 2014.
- 1 2 "Meet Gaston Browne", Gaston Browne website.
- ↑ "ABLP Wins", Daily Observer, 13 June 2014.
- ↑ "Gaston Browne", Candidate Biography.
- ↑ "Antigua and Barbuda", Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.
- 1 2 "ABLP leader Hon. Gaston Browne ties the knot", Caribbean Times. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
- ↑ Jacqueline Charles, "Browne becomes new prime minister of Antigua, youngest ever", Miami Herald, 13 June 2014.
- ↑ "Antigua & Barbuda: Gaston Browne, New Opposition Leader – Begins Prepping for General Elections", The Habari Network, 26, November 2012.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Baldwin Spencer |
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda 2014–present |
Incumbent |
 | ||
† Served as Chief Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. | ||