Jamaican politician
Juliet Holness (née Landell; born July 16, 1971) is a Jamaican politician who is the current Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member for Saint Andrew East Rural. She is married to Andrew Holness, the Prime Minister of Jamaica.[1]
Early life and education
Holness was born in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.[2] She attended St. Catherine High School and undertook Sixth form studies at Wolmers' Girls' School. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting and economics, and a master's degree in accounting, from the University of the West Indies, Mona.[3]
Professional career
Holness' first full-time job after graduating was with KPMG, a multinational professional services and accountancy firm. Speaking in 2021, she said: "I got a promotion about every six months, which was unprecedented, because I saw the company as my company. I was always very aggressive about collecting their money."[4]
In 1997, she joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and worked her way up to the role of senior auditor before leaving when she was pregnant with her first child. Afterwards, she worked for a period as an accountant for Jamaica Biscuit Company.[4]
Holness was also a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She has also worked as a freelance accounting consultant, real estate developer, and financial controller.[3][5]
Political career
After her husband, became Prime Minister of Jamaica in 2016, Holness announced the launch of the Save Our Boys Foundation, which was aimed at helping street boys.[6]
Holness was elected to Parliament in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020. In 2023, she was elected Speaker.[7]
Personal life
In 1997 she married Andrew Holness, whom she had met as a student at St. Catherine High School during the 1980s.[8] They have two children.[5]
References
