Lovell Francis

Lovell Francis is a Trinidad and Tobago politician and diplomat. He is the current High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago to the Republic of South Africa. Francis was previously a Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for Moruga/Tableland between 2015 and 2020, when he served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.

Lovell Francis
Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador to South Africa
Assumed office
17 August 2021
Prime MinisterKeith Rowley
Member of Parliament
for Moruga/Tableland
In office
9 September 2015 – 9 August 2020
Preceded byClifton De Coteau
Succeeded byMichelle Benjamin
Personal details
Political partyPeople's National Movement (PNM)
Alma mater

Early life

Francis completed his PhD at the University of the West Indies at St. Augustine. He presented his thesis, Transformation in the Trinidadian Sugar Industry: Caroni, State Intervention and the Sugar Sub Sector in Trinidad 1970–2005, on 20 June 2012.[1] He then worked as a university lecturer at the University of the West Indies.[2][3][4]

Political career

Francis was elected to the House of Representatives as the Member of Parliament for Moruga/Tableland in the 2015 general election. He served as a member for the People's National Movement (PNM). He was appointed as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education on 23 September 2015, a position that he held until 9 August 2020.[5] He had responsibility for tertiary education.[6] It was predicted that he would be appointed as Minister of Public Administration after Marlene McDonald's position was revoked.[2] He was not selected by the PNM screening committee to re-contest his seat in the 2020 general election.[7][8] Instead the PNM nominated Winston Peters, who ultimately lost to the United National Congress's Michelle Benjamin.[9][10]

Diplomatic career

Francis was appointed as High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa on 17 August 2021.[11][12][13] He was received by President Paula-Mae Weekes in his new position on 26 October 2021.[14]

References
  1. "Lovell Francis defends thesis on Trinidadian Sugar Industry". University of the West Indies at St. Augustine. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  2. Alexander, Gail (13 August 2019). "Lovell tipped to replace McDonald". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  3. Ramdass, Anna (27 May 2018). "'I could have been a millionaire', says MP". Trinidad and Tobago Express. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  4. Douglas, Sean (13 November 2018). "Francis: I was bad lad". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  5. "The Honourable Dr. Lovell Francis, MP". Trinidad and Tobago Parliament. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  6. Sookraj, Radhica (22 September 2015). "Moruga/Tableland MP joins Education Ministry". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  7. "Lovell Francis on his way out". Trinidad and Tobago Express. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  8. Williams, Curtis (19 May 2020). "PNM rejects Francis for Moruga/Tabeland". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  9. Douglas, Sean (11 August 2020). "Francis: Glad PNM won, but sad to lose Moruga/Tableland". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  10. Felmine, Kevon (20 May 2020). "No Lovell, no vote". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  11. Douglas, Sean (17 August 2021). "Ex-ministers Edmund Dillon, Lovell Francis appointed diplomats". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  12. "Dhanpaul resigns from NIF". Trinidad and Tobago Express. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  13. Alexander, Gail (20 August 2021). "Lovell looking forward to the South Africa posting". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  14. "Her Excellency receives Five Heads of Mission". The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
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