Speakers

Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire is the Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and the Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information. Since 2016, he has also served as the Parliamentary Representative for Castries South and is the First Deputy Political Leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party.

Dr. Hilaire's career spans public service, international diplomacy, sports administration, and academia. His experience in global affairs is rooted in his tenure as Saint Lucia's High Commissioner to the United. During this period, he successfully championed trade negotiations, cultural exchanges, and international cooperation, solidifying Saint Lucia's presence on the global stage.

His leadership also extended into sports administration, where he served as the Tournament Director of the 2007 ICC World Cup in Saint Lucia. He then became Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) from 2009 to 2012. His tenure at WICB marked a transformative period for Caribbean cricket, highlighted by the successful hosting of major international tournaments, including the ICC World T20 Cup in 2010. Under his guidance, the WICB expanded its global outreach, improved governance, and elevated the profile of West Indies cricket in international sports diplomacy. He left the role in September 2012 to take up his diplomatic post in London.

In addition to his public service and sports leadership, Dr. Hilaire is a distinguished academic. He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics, where his research focused on International Relations and the Shaping of State-Societal Relations – A Postcolonial Study. He also earned a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in International Relations from Darwin College, Cambridge University, and a First-Class Honours degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus).

Dr. Hilaire also served as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 1999, contributing to policy development in sports and youth initiatives. His background in both governance and academia has equipped him with a strong foundation for his leadership roles in government and international representation. 

As Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information, Dr. Hilaire focuses on sustainable tourism growth, cultural preservation, and economic diversification. His initiatives aim to strengthen Saint Lucia’s global presence, support local talent, and promote innovation across key sectors.