Quick Facts
Biography
Brent Symonette (born 2 December 1954) is a Bahamian businessman and Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry. He was sworn in on May 15, 2017. He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas from 2007 to 2012. He also served as Member of Parliament for the St. Anne's constituency. He is a member of the Free National Movement (FNM).
Life and career
Symonette was born in Nassau, Bahamas. He is the youngest son of Sir Roland Symonette (1898-1980), the first Premier of the Bahamas and Lady Margaret Symonette née Frances. Symonette is also the half brother of Bobby Symonette, who served as Speaker of the House of Assembly. He studied law in London and is a member of the Bahamas Bar. Symonette is also an established real estate broker.
Symonette was appointed to the Senate in 1987 by Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield and reappointed to the Senate in 1992 by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. Symonette was one of a handful of white Members of Parliament.
Symonette served as Attorney General, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Airport Authority. As Chairman of the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas, Symonette was instrumental in negotiations that resulted in bringing the Atlantis Hotel and affiliated resort properties to the Bahamas.
Following the FNM victory in the May 2007 general election, Symonette was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ingraham's government on May 4.