Mark Phillips (Guyanese politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Anthony Phillips
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_Mark_Anthony_Phillips,_M.S.S.,_M.P..jpg)
Phillips in 2020
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| 9th Prime Minister and First Vice President of Guyana | |
| Assumed office 2 August 2020 Serving with Bharrat Jagdeo (as Vice President)
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| President | Irfaan Ali |
| Preceded by | Moses Nagamootoo |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 1 September 2020 |
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| Constituency | National Top-Up |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 October 1962 Georgetown, British Guiana (present-day Guyana) |
| Political party | People's Progressive Party/Civic |
| Spouse | Mignon Bowen-Phillips |
| Education | Inter-American Defense College United States Army Command and General Staff College |
| Alma mater | University of Guyana (BSS) Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Guyana |
| Branch/service |  Guyana Defence Force |
| Years of service | 1980–2017 |
| Rank | _Brigadier_rank_insignia.svg){kind=icon} Brigadier |
| Commands | Chief of Defence Staff (2013–2018) |
Mark Anthony Phillips was born on October 5, 1962. He is a politician from Guyana and a former military officer. Today, he serves as the Prime Minister and First Vice President of Guyana. He works alongside President Irfaan Ali, a role he has held since August 2020.
Before entering politics, Mark Phillips had a long and successful career in the military. He was the chief of staff for the Guyana Defence Force from 2013 to 2016. He began his military journey by graduating from the famous Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in September 1981.
Phillips has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Public Sector Management from La Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. His education also includes studies at the Inter-American Defense College in Washington D.C. and the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Growing Up in Guyana
Mark Phillips was born on October 5, 1962, in Georgetown, Guyana. His parents were Medford Phillips and Cynthia Alexander. When he was five years old, his family moved to Christianburg, Linden. His father worked there as a mason in the bauxite industry. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was seven. After that, his father raised him and one of his brothers.
School Days and First Jobs
Phillips went to Christianburg Primary School. Later, he attended Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, also known as the Multilateral school. He successfully completed his General Certificate Examination (GCE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). His first job was as an acting teacher at the Linden Foundation School. In 1980, he worked as a Laboratory Analyst for GUYMINE's Bauxite and Alumina Labs.
Military Career and Leadership
Joining the Defence Force
In December 1980, Mark Phillips joined the Guyana Defence Force as an Officer cadet. He then traveled to the United Kingdom for military training. He attended the Standard Military Officers’ Course Number 26 at the well-known Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He also trained in Brazil. He became a Special forces Officer and is skilled as a Paratrooper and Jumpmaster.
Throughout his 36 years of service, he held many important roles in the Guyana Defence Force. He retired in October 2016 as a brigadier and chief of staff. He received the Military Service Star (MSS). This is the highest national military award in Guyana.
Advanced Studies and Recognition
During his time in the military, Brigadier Phillips continued his education. He earned a Master of Science degree in Public Management from La Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic. This helped him become fluent in Spanish. He also earned two postgraduate diplomas. One was in Advanced Defense and Security Studies from the Inter-American Defense College in Washington D.C.. The other was in Defense Studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He also has a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Management from the University of Guyana.
Leading the Defence Force
Brigadier Phillips led at every level within the Guyana Defence Force. Before becoming Inspector General in 2011, he was Colonel Administration and Quartering, and Colonel General Staff. He also represented Guyana as head of delegation to the Inter-American Defence Board from 2008 to 2009. He was also Guyana's non-resident military attaché to Venezuela.
In 2013, President Donald Ramotar promoted him to the rank of brigadier. He then took command of the defence force. He was appointed as the chief of staff of the Guyana Defence Force in September 2013. He served in this top position until his retirement in October 2018. After retiring, Brigadier Phillips was honored by being inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the CGSC in Kansas, USA. This special honor is given to graduates who reach the highest military office in their home country.
Political Career
Entering Politics
After his military career, Brigadier Mark Phillips decided to enter politics. He was chosen to be the running mate for People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Dr. Irfaan Ali. This happened during the 2020 Elections.
Becoming Prime Minister
After the 2020 general and regional elections, the People's Progressive Party/Civic was declared the winner. On August 2, 2020, Dr. Irfaan Ali became the 9th president of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. On the very same day, President Ali appointed Brigadier Mark Phillips as the 9th Prime Minister of Guyana.
As Prime Minister, Mark Phillips is the person who would take over as president of Guyana if the position ever became empty. He also holds the title of First Vice President.
Responsibilities as Prime Minister
Since becoming Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips has been given important responsibilities. He is in charge of the energy sector, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), and the information sector. Brigadier Phillips also serves on the Defence Board of Guyana.
Personal Life
Brigadier Mark Phillips is married to Mignon Bowen-Phillips. Together, they are the parents of four children.
See also
In Spanish: Mark Phillips (político) para niños
