Hubert Ingraham

Hubert Ingraham is a member of the Free National Movement Party and was sworn in as the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Bahamas May 4, 2007. He has previously served as Prime Minister from 1992 to 2002. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was a member of the Progressive Liberal Party and served as its Chairman.

Hubert Ingraham was born on August 4, 1947 in Pine Ridge, Grand Bahamas. Ingraham grew up in Abaco and attended school at Coopers Town Public School and then on to Southern Senior School and the Government High School Evening Institute in Nassau. He went on to study law and became an articled clerk. In December of 1972 he was called to the Bahamas Bar. He then entered private practice and in time became a senior partner in the Christie, Ingraham & Co. firm. In 1975, Ingraham became a member of the National General Council of the Progressive Liberal Party and by 1976 he had become its Chairman. Ingraham's political career continued to advance and in 1977 he was elected to the House Assembly for his hometown and subsequently won six straight elections.

In 1990 Ingraham changed parties and became a member of the Free National Movement. Ingraham became the Prime Minister of the Bahamas soon after, serving from August 21, 1992 through May 3, 2002. In 1993 Ingraham was made a member of Her Majesty's most honorable Privy Council. Ingraham received an honorary doctorate from the University of Buckingham, England on March 3, 2000. 5 years after having served as Prime Minister, Ingraham again became Prime Minister, assuming office for the second time on May 4, 2007.

Growing up in a home of working class parents he developed a strong social conscience. It was this that influenced his first term and resulted in a deliberate reduction in government size. He encouraged private investments, both international and domestic ones. He was also able to reduce the government's direct intervention in the economy. Ingraham's programs have helped to revitalize The Bahamas' economy, particularly in the area of tourism. Ingraham's success in restoring financial confidence in The Bahamas economy has encouraged and increased international banking and trust business over the last few years.