By Al Edwards

Mark Golding will be squaring off against Lisa Hanna for the leadership of the People’s National Party (PNP) on November 7.

His candidacy is marked by an impressive career in the legal profession, banking and politics. Golding is a serious man for serious times and brings a lot to the table.

Here are some highlights from his career:

– An alumnus of Mona Prep and Campion College

– Graduated from prestigious Oxford University in the United Kingdom with a first-class Honours degree in Law. Went on to attain a Master’s Degree in Commercial and Corporate law from the University of London.

– Admitted to the bar in 1990 then joined top Jamaican law firm, Hart, Muirhead, Fatta.

– In 1993, co-founded Jamaica’s first private sector investment bank, Dehring, Bunting and Golding (DB&G).

– Appointed to the Senate in 2007.

– Became PNP’s treasurer in 2009 until 2012, then again from 2017 to 2018.

– Co-founded investment and wealth management house Proven in 2010.

– Appointed Minister of Justice in 2012, a position he held until 2016.

– Honoured internationally, in 2015, with the Kurt Schmoke Award for Achievement in the Field of Law.

– Won 2017 by-election to become member of parliament for the  South St Andrew constituency.

– Appointed Opposition spokesperson on finance and planning in 2017.

-Retained his parliamentary seat with an 88 per cent majority at the recently held general election and announced his candidacy for the leadership of the PNP, to succeed Dr Peter Phillips