Sarita Francis

Sarita Francis
Born Sarita Violeta Francis
(1953-09-11) 11 September 1953
Montserrat
Nationality Montserratian/British
Occupation educator, politician
Years active 1972-present
Known for first woman Deputy Governor of Montserrat
Notable work Acting Head of State 2011

Sarita Francis, OBE (Montserrat born 11 September 1953) is the current director of the Montserrat National Trust. She was formerly a teacher and has held numerous governmental posts, including serving as a Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, as the first Director of Housing, as first Chief Establishment Officer, among others. Francis was appointed as Montserrat’s first woman deputy governor in 2009. She became acting head of state in 2011, when the governor resigned. She was honored with the Order of the British Empire in 2012.

Biography

Sarita Violeta Francis was born in Montserrat on 11 September 1953.[1] In 1972, she became a teacher of geography and social studies. In 1992, she was appointed as senior teacher and vice principal of the Salem Campus of the Montserrat Secondary School.[2]

In 1993, Francis was charged with development of an environmental education strategy for the country, taking an appointment with the United Nations Development Programme. The following year, she began working with the Montserrat National Trust as Environmental Educator.[2] Beginning in 1997, Francis appointed to the Ministry of Agriculture and then in 1999 became the first Director of Housing. Three years later, she was promoted to serve in the Office of the Chief Minister as Permanent Secretary. After six years, in 2007, Frances became the permanent Secretary of Administration and then later that same year became the first Chief Establishment Officer of Montserrat.[2]

On 15 October 2009 Francis became the first woman Deputy Governor of Montserrat.[2] In March, 2011, she became acting governor, when Peter Andrew Waterworth stepped down as governor. She served as acting head of state through April, when the governor's replacement, Adrian Davis, arrived.[3] Francis was honored with the Order of the British Empire in 2012 for her work with the National Trust[4][5] and later that same year, she stepped down as deputy governor when her replacement Alric Taylor was appointed for the next term.[6]

She has served with the National trust since her original appointment in various capacities for 20 over years,[2] and is the current executive director.[7] The organization strives to protect and preserve the history and culture of Montserrat through a variety of initiatives including annual cultural events, archaeological projects,[8] and an archives digitization project.[7] In 2014, she also became a director of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum[1] which has launched numerous environmental projects on the island including a publication of the bird species on the island.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum: Sarita Francis". London, England: Companies House. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mrs Sarita Francis appointed Montserrat's first Deputy Governor". Brades, Montserrat: Government of Montserrat. 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Roach, Bennette (4 March 2011). "Governor Waterworth departs, frustrated and failed". Brades, Montserrat: The Montserrat Reporter. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Deputy Governor and retired teacher on Queen's New Year's Honours List". Brades, Montserrat: The Montserrat Reporter. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "Honours: Diplomatic Services and Overseas List". London, England: The Independent. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Alric Taylor former PS, new Deputy Governor". Brades, Montserrat: The Montserrat Reporter. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  7. 1 2 "National Trust launches Endangered Archive Project Project". Brades, Montserrat: The Montserrat Reporter. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  8. ↑ Pulsipher, Lydia M. (18 March 2011). "Cultural Heritage comes alive in Montserrat". Brades, Montserrat: The Montserrat Reporter. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Birding in Paradise – launched at Government House". Brades, Montserrat: The Montserrat Reporter. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
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