Senator, the Hon.Jerome K. Fitzgerald

Previous Appointments

• Senator (2007–2012)

• Minister of Education, Science and Technology (2012–2017)

• Senior Policy Advisor, OBice of the Prime Minister (2021–2026)

  Senator the Hon. Jerome K. Fitzgerald is the Minister of Economic ABairs for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. An accomplished attorney, businessman, and public servant, he brings more than three decades of experience spanning law, public policy, education, governance, international aBairs, and the private sector.

  Called to both the English and Bahamian Bars in 1991, Minister Fitzgerald earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from King's College, University of London, in 1989 and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Shipping, Trade and Finance from City University Business School, London, in 1992. He is an established businessman from a family with deep entrepreneurial roots and longstanding ties to the Bahamian private sector.

  Prior to his appointment as Minister of Economic ABairs, Minister Fitzgerald served as Senior Policy Advisor in the OBice of the Prime Minister from 2021 to 2026, where he provided strategic advice on national policy, governance, and economic development initiatives, contributing to key government priorities and long-term national planning.

  Minister Fitzgerald's public service includes serving as Deputy Chairman and Council Member of the Board of Directors of The College of The Bahamas from 2002 to 2007, as well as a member of the Board of the Education Loan Authority. He was appointed to the Senate in 2007 before serving as Minister of Education, Science and Technology from 2012 to 2017.

  During his tenure as Minister of Education, he led a broad programme of educational reform aimed at raising academic standards, improving student achievement and graduation rates, increasing investment in education, and expanding equitable access to quality learning opportunities throughout The Bahamas. Committed to adopting international best practices, he led oBicial study missions to Finland, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia to benchmark the Bahamian education system against some of the world's highest-performing education models.

  Minister Fitzgerald also provided leadership on the international stage, serving as Chairman of the Commonwealth Education Ministers and Chairman of the Inter- American Committee on Education.

In recognition of his eBorts to advance technology integration in education, he received the Friend of the Industry Award from the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) during the Education Business Forum in New York in December 2016.

One of his most significant achievements was helping to guide the transformation of The College of The Bahamas into the University of The Bahamas. Building on his earlier service as Deputy Chairman of the College Council, he provided continuity and strategic leadership throughout the transition, culminating in the establishment of the University of The Bahamas on 10 November 2016, now celebrated annually as Charter Day.

As Minister of Economic ABairs, Minister Fitzgerald draws upon his multidisciplinary background in law, shipping, trade, finance, business, and public policy to advance The Bahamas' economic development agenda. His leadership is focused on promoting economic diversification, attracting high-quality investment, strengthening the country's financial services sector, advancing digital transformation, and fostering sustainable, inclusive economic growth through strategic domestic and international partnerships.

Throughout his career, Minister Fitzgerald has remained committed to strengthening national institutions, promoting innovation, and creating opportunities that enhance the long-term prosperity and global competitiveness of The Bahamas.

Minister Fitzgerald is the proud father of three children: Edward, Jared, and Zara.