CANDIDATE FOR ST. MICHAEL NORTH
Francis De Peiza is the highly committed and able candidate for St. Michael North, with a clear modern vision. His vision for the development of Barbados is rooted in the DLP philosophy of investing in people and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to solve their own problems. He believes that we must meet the new challenge of expanding our economy into a globally competitive market space by the development of creative technologies through investment in the intellect of our people, our primary resource. Barbados’ competitive advantage, given the educational platform laid by successive DLP Administrations since the 1960’s, is dependent on our willingness to invest heavily in research and development, and on developing policies to equip our people with the tools to create and master new technologies. That focus, combined with creating the environment to foster an entrepreneurial spirit is the stepping stone to personal empowerment and national competitiveness that will work to offset the ravages of unemployment and unemployability that have become the biggest problems facing Barbados in recent times. In short, the future of Barbados depends on completing the educational revolution started in 1962.
Francis is a graduate of Harrison College, Howard University, and the University of Miami. He is both a Chemical Engineer and an Attorney-at-Law and has fused these disciplines into the specialized practice of Patent Law as a partner with the law firm of Carrington and Sealey (established 1872). Francis remained a partner with the firm until his decision in September 2006 to serve the community as a candidate for the DLP in the St Michael North Constituency in the 2008 Election. Subsequent to his defeat in that election, falling 120 votes short of victory, he returned to the firm in March 2008.
In addition to being called to the Bar in Barbados, he has been a member of the New York State Bar and the American Bar Association for many years. However he currently works from his office in Barbados to provide the legal protection necessary to facilitate exploiting the cutting edge of patentable technologies, industrial design and other technological innovations. He provides services in other forms of Corporate Intellectual Property Law, Law as applied to the Internet, International Law, Trust and Estate Planning, as well as litigation and advisory services in real estate matters. Francis also provides corporate counsel to Boards which span the range of corporate services from telecommunications, banking and investment, finance and management, and charitable/service clubs.
During the past four years, Francis has served on and is currently the Chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Board (QEH) guiding and supervising the DLP’s sustained commitment to the improvement of health care delivery through improved diagnostic capability and improved service. He also serves as a Trustee of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Trust. He has the distinction of being on the Film Censorship Board as its Deputy Chairman since 2009 and is a past Chairman of one of the National Insurance Scheme Benefits Committees. He remains an active member of the DLP and served the Party nationally and internationally as its General Secretary for the 2009-10 year.
Francis keeps his ear close to the ground in his constituency. Hence, he has reached the conclusion that the most pressing challenges facing the constituents of St. Michael North are:
- Limited access to decent and affordable housing
- Unemployment and underemployment
- The high cost of living
In response he has become the patron and sponsor of several active local programmes designed to enhance personal and community development. In addition to this, he continues to work to strengthen ties between residents of St. Michael North and several other communities in order to share best practices. Francis is married to Kerry Hall and they together look forward to being an important part of a new DLP Government that will usher in a more enterprising, dynamic, just and inclusive society in Barbados.
Contact the Candidate
Constituency Office (246) 228-9581
