Mark Phillips (Guyanese politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Anthony Phillips
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| 9th Prime Minister and 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 5 October 1962. He is a Guyanese politician and a retired military officer. Since August 2020, he has served as the Prime Minister and First Vice President of Guyana under President Irfaan Ali. Before entering politics, he was the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force from 2013 to 2016.
Phillips has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Public Sector Management from La Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. He furthered his studies at the Inter-American Defense College in Washington, D.C. and the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Growing Up in Guyana
Mark Phillips was born in Georgetown, Guyana, on 5 October 1962. His parents were Medford Phillips and Cynthia Alexander. When he was five years old, his family moved to Christianburg, Linden. His father worked in the bauxite industry as a mason. Mark's mother passed away when he was seven, and his father raised him and one of his brothers.
His Education Journey
Phillips attended Christianburg Primary School. Later, he went to Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, also known as the Multilateral school. There, he successfully completed his General Certificate Examination (GCE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). His first job was as a temporary teacher at Linden Foundation School. In 1980, he worked as a Laboratory Analyst for the Bauxite and Alumina Labs of GUYMINE.
Military Career
In December 1980, Mark Phillips joined the Guyana Defence Force as an Officer cadet. He traveled to the United Kingdom for military training at the famous Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He also trained in Brazil. He became a Special forces Officer, and he is skilled as a Paratrooper and Jumpmaster.
Phillips held many important roles in the Guyana Defence Force. He retired in October 2016 as a brigadier and Chief of Staff, after serving for more than 36 years. He received the Military Service Star (MSS), which is the highest national military award in Guyana.
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 in defense and security studies. One was from the Inter-American Defense College in Washington, D.C., and the other from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He also earned a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Management from the University of Guyana.
Leading the Defence Force
Brigadier Phillips commanded at every level within the Guyana Defence Force. Before becoming Inspector General in 2011, he served as Colonel Administration and Quartering, and Colonel General Staff. He also represented Guyana as the head of its 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 defense force. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force in September 2013. He served in that important role until his retirement in October 2018.
Right after his retirement in October 2018, Brigadier Phillips was honored. He was inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the CGSC in Kansas, USA. This special honor is given to graduates who have reached the highest military office in their home country.
Political Career
Brigadier Mark Phillips was chosen to be the running mate for People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Dr. Irfaan Ali in the 2020 Elections.
After a five-month political wait, the People's Progressive Party/Civic was declared the winner of the 2020 general and regional elections in Guyana. On 2 August 2020, Dr. Irfaan Ali became the 9th President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. On the same day, President Ali appointed Brigadier Mark Phillips as the 9th Prime Minister of Guyana.
As Prime Minister, the Honourable Brigadier Mark Anthony Phillips is the person who would take over as president of Guyana if the position became empty. Brigadier Phillips also serves as the First Vice President.
Serving 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 is also a member of the Defence Board of Guyana.
Personal Life
Brigadier Mark Phillips is married to Mignon Bowen-Phillips. They have four children.
See also
In Spanish: Mark Phillips (político) para niños
