Mark Golding

Mark Jefferson Golding (born 19 July 1965) is a Jamaican attorney, investment banker, and politician who has been Opposition Leader of Jamaica and President of the People's National Party since November 2020, following the 2020 Presidential Election.[1] He was a member of the Senate of Jamaica from 2007 to 2017 and served as Minister of Justice from 2012 to 2016. He was elected as Member of Parliament for South St Andrew in 2017 and is a member of the People's National Party (PNP).[2][3]

Honourable

Mark Golding

MP
Mark Golding picture in office
Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
11 November 2020
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterAndrew Holness
Governor GeneralPatrick Allen
Preceded byPeter Phillips
Minister of Justice
In office
2017 – February 2016
Preceded byDelroy Chuck
Succeeded byDelroy Chuck
Member of Parliament
for St Andrew Southern
Assumed office
7 November 2020
Preceded byOmar Davies
President of the People's National Party
Preceded byPeter Phillips
Personal details
Born
Mark Jefferson Golding

(1965-07-19) 19 July 1965
Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica
Political partyPeople's National Party
Spouse(s)Sandra Golding
Children3
Alma materOxford University

On 7 November 2020, Mark Golding was elected as the 6th president of the PNP after polling 1740 delegate votes to defeat Lisa Hanna who polled 1440 in an election that saw 96% voter turnout amongst delegates in the 2020 People's National Party leadership election.[4]

Career

Business

Golding was admitted to the bar in 1990 and joined the Hart Muirhead Fatta Law firm. In 1993, He co-founded Dehring Bunting & Golding Limited, Jamaica's first private sector investment bank which became one of the leading financial institutions in the Caribbean.[5] Over the course of his career, Golding has served as a director at GraceKennedy Limited Caribbean Information, Credit Rating Services Limited, and the Bank of Nova Scotia under Scotia Limited. Golding is also the chairman of the Mona Rehabilitation Foundation and of Arnett Gardens F.C.. In 2010, Golding co-founded Proven Investment Limited, a publicly listed investment company.[6][7]

Political

Golding was appointed to the Senate of Jamaica in 2007 by then-prime minister Portia Simpson-Miller, who named him as the Minister of Justice after the PNP electoral victory in the 2011 Jamaican general election. He was also named Chairman of the Legislation Committee of Cabinet. During this 4-year term, 121 Acts of Parliament were passed. Golding was behind the island-wide decriminalization of marijuana. In 2017, Golding was elected to Parliament as the representative for South St. Andrew.[8]

Golding was a key ally of Peter Bunting during the latter's PNP leadership challenge of Peter Phillips (politician) in 2019. After the PNP's massive loss in the 2020 election, Golding announced his intention to run for leadership of the party.[7][6]

Personal life

Mark was born in Kingston and is the only son of John and Patricia Golding. His father served as a doctor for British forces in World War II and moved to Jamaica the following decade. His mother grew up in Westmoreland. Mark has an older sister who resides in Trinidad and Tobago. He was educated at Mona Prep, Campion College, Jamaica, Marlborough College, University of Oxford and University College London.[9]

Mark married his wife, Sandra, in 1990. They have three children. He was a musician throughout his time at Oxford University and was the co-owner of a music label in the late 1990s.

Notes
  1. "Mark Golding Appointed Leader of the Opposition". Jamaica Information Service. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  2. "Mark Golding - PROVEN". weareproven.com. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  3. "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  4. "Mark Golding wins presidential race for opposition party in Jamaica". Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  5. "Mr. Mark J. Golding, M.P. Lawyer Profile on Martindale.com". martindale.com. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  6. "Mr. Mark J. Golding, M.P. Lawyer Profile on Martindale.com". martindale.com. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  7. "Hon. Mark J. Golding - HMF". hmf.com.jm. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  8. "'We will be constructive, fearless,' promises new Opposition Leader Mark Golding". jamaica-gleaner.com. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  9. "Mark Golding". Jamaica Information Service. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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