Juliet Holness (née Landell; born July 16, 1971) is a Jamaican politician who is the current Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member for Saint Andrew East Rural. She is married to Andrew Holness, the Prime Minister of Jamaica.[1]
Juliet Holness | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 26 September 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert |
| Member of Parliament | |
| Assumed office 3 March 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Damion Crawford |
| Constituency | St. Andrew East Rural |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Juliet Landell July 16, 1971 St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica |
| Political party | Jamaica Labour Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and education edit
Holness was born in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.[2] She attended St. Catherine High School and undertook Sixth form studies at Wolmers' Girl's School. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting and economics, and a master's degree in accounting, from the University of the West Indies, Mona.[3]
Professional career edit
Holness' first full-time job after graduating was with KPMG, a multinational professional services and accountancy firm. Speaking in 2021, she said: "I got a promotion about every six months, which was unprecedented, because I saw the company as my company. I was always very aggressive about collecting their money."[4]
In 1997, she joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and worked her way up to the role of senior auditor before leaving when she was pregnant with her first child. Afterwards, she worked for a period as an accountant for Jamaica Biscuit Company.[4]
Holness was also a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She has also worked as a freelance accounting consultant, real estate developer, and financial controller.[3][5]
Political career edit
After her husband, became Prime Minister of Jamaica in 2011, Holness announced the launch of the Save Our Boys Foundation, which was aimed at helping street boys.[6]
Holness was elected to Parliament in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020. In 2023, she was elected Speaker.[7]
Personal life edit
In 1997 she married Andrew Holness, whom she had met as a student at St. Catherine High School during the 1980s.[8] They have two children.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Jamaica's Prime Minister and wife celebrate 24th wedding anniversary". Jamaica Observer. 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "Members of Parliament". www.japarliament.gov.jm. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ a b "HE Mrs. Juliet Holness Jamaica". SCLAN. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ a b Knight, Candiece (2021-03-08). "IWD 2021: Juliet Holness – Challenge accepted - All Woman". www.jamaicaobserver.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ a b "Juliet Holness:Jamaica is safe in Andrew's hands". jamaica-gleaner.com. 2011-11-20. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ "PM's wife to launch ambitious project". jamaica-gleaner.com. 2011-11-13. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ "Juliet Holness elected House Speaker". jamaica-gleaner.com. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ Hussey-Whyte, Donna. "The PM's wife". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2020.