Mark Anthony Phillips

Prime Minister of Guyana

Brigadier Mark Anthony Phillips was sworn in as the 9th Executive Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana under President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on August 2, 2020. 

He served as the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) from 2013 to 2016. 

Brigadier Phillips has two Postgraduate Diplomas: one in Advanced Defense and Security Studies from the Inter-American Defense College in Washington D.C., and another in Defence Studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He also earned a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Management from the University of Guyana and a Master of Science in Public Sector Management from La Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. 

He was first employed as an Acting teacher at the Linden Foundation School, then as a Laboratory Analyst with the Bauxite and Alumina Labs of GUYMINE in 1980. 

In December 1980, he joined the Guyana Defence Force as an Officer Cadet and travelled to the United Kingdom for military training on the Standard Military Officers’ Course Number 26 at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in September 1981. Trained in Brazil, he served as a Special Forces Officer and he is an accomplished Parachutist and Jumpmaster. Thereafter, he held appointments at the tactical and operational levels of the Guyana Defence Force and retired as Brigadier and Chief of Staff in October 2016 having served for over 36 years. He is a recipient of the Military Service Star (MSS), the highest national military award in Guyana. 

Immediately following his retirement in October 2016, Brigadier Phillips was inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Kansas, USA. This honour is bestowed to graduates who would have achieved the highest military office in their respective countries.  

2020 General and Regional Elections in Guyana 

Brigadier Phillips was chosen as the running mate of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali in the Guyana 2020 General and Regional Elections. 

On August 2, 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic was officially declared the winner of the 2020 General and Regional Elections in Guyana. On that same day, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in as the 9th Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and as his first official act as President, appointed Brigadier Mark Phillips as Prime Minister of Guyana. Brigadier Phillips also serves as the First Vice President of Guyana. 

Following his appointment as Prime Minister, the Hon. Brigadier Mark Phillips was assigned the following portfolios by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali: 

  • Energy Sector 
  • Civil Defence Commission (CDC) 
  • Information Sector 
  • Telecommunications Sector 

Brigadier Phillips as Prime Minister sits on the Defence Board of Guyana. 

Brigadier Phillips is the father of four adult children and is married to Mignon Bowen-Phillips. 

The Next Gen: DISRUPTION

Economic Disruption: We live in an era of disruption in which powerful global forces are changing how we live and work. Powerful disruptions are changing our world. The gig economy, remote work, and the sharing economy have disrupted traditional employment models. The new generation is often at the forefront of these economic changes, seeking flexibility and independence in their careers.

Technological Disruption: The new generation is witnessing rapid technological advancements and digital transformation. They are at the forefront of embracing and driving these changes, leading to disruptions in various industries. Examples include the rise of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy. Frontier technologies such as the Internet of Things, smart robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence are boosting productivity growth, raising prosperity, and replacing mundane or dangerous tasks. They have the potential to do good across a wide range of domains, from healthcare to education

Cultural Disruption: Social movements and changing cultural norms are disrupting traditional societal structures. The new generation is actively involved in advocating for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice, challenging the status quo and pushing for more inclusive societies. The connection between resilience, equity and inclusion is widely accepted by policymakers: evidence has shown that creating more equitable and inclusive societies is a crucial part of any economic strategy focused on resilience and recovery.

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The Next Gen: DEVELOPMENT

Skill Development: The new generation places a strong emphasis on personal growth and development. They prioritize continuous learning, self-improvement, and mental well-being. Tools like online courses, self-help apps, and social networks play a significant role in their development journey. It is important to have a conversation about how to begin closing the gap between what our students are learning and what the demands of the workforce will be once they enter. Half of us will need to reskill in the next five years, as the "double disruption" of the economic impacts of the pandemic and increasing automation transforming jobs takes hold.

Sustainable Development: This generation of leaders bears the responsibility of preserving and advancing the legacies of their businesses while actively championing sustainable practices across businesses, governments, local communities, and personal lifestyle changes to secure a brighter future for the planet. Sustainability, the buzzword across the world today, will have to take on a new avatar and become the soul of every organization - business or otherwise. Businesses cannot succeed in societies that fail.

Social Development: The next generation is deeply rooted in creating positive change in society by incorporating CSR, promoting digital literacy, improving access to quality education, and supporting public health initiatives. Smart living is about adapting the fruits of technology through models that are scalable, profitable and, importantly, ecologically and socially more sustainable.

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The Next Gen: DIVERSIFICATION

Geographical Diversification: The prime focus of the new-gen leaders will be on a geographic diversification strategy, either domestically or internationally, aiming to integrate its products and services as a routine in consumers’ lifestyles. This will mitigate the risks associated with regional economic fluctuations. In an interconnected world, diversity, shaped by globalization and technological advances, forms the fabric of modern society.

Business Diversification: The strategic expansion and diversification of businesses with investments in newer business avenues, will enhance the return on investment, reflecting the forward-thinking approach of the next-generation leaders' eagerness to innovate. Companies are discovering that, by supporting and promoting diverse products and services, they are gaining benefits that go beyond the optics.

Workforce Diversification: To achieve geographical and business diversification, the next generation of leaders will aim at prioritizing workforce diversity, to boost job growth and create together a multitude of ideas and perspectives, igniting innovation and creativity. In times of increasing disruption and uncertainty, companies need to continue to prioritize diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) for the benefit of their culture — and their bottom line.

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