ST MICHAEL WEST & ST MICHAEL WEST CENTRAL FEATURED TODAY

We are nearing the end of our election candidate profiles, just three constituencies left, today we provide the bios of the candidates contesting the constituencies of St Michael West and St Michael West Central.

ST MICHAEL WEST

Ryan Walters a finance executive and Opposition Senator since 2024. He has worked finance since 2002 with experience in accounting, audit, compliance and business management. He currently serves as General Manager of Restaurant Associates (Bds) ltd. He holds an MBA in finance.

Neil Rowe is a community representative who served as the elected Member of Parliament for St. Michael North West. In Parliament, he also held the role of Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly. 

Ricardo Williams is Second Vice-President of FOD and a former professional footballer who represented Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago. His contributions span sport, music, and youth development at the community and national levels.

ST MICHAEL WEST CENTRAL

Ian Gooding-Edghill is a seasoned executive, labour relations professional, and public servant whose career spans human resource management, corporate leadership, and national governance.

He began his executive career in human resource management with Marriott Hotels and Resorts and, in 1994, was recruited into St.James Beach Hotels Plc, the first Barbadian company floated on the London Stock Exchange. There, he served as Group Trainer, Group Human Resources Manager, and later Human Resources Director, building a strong reputation in organisational development and people management.

From 2003 to 2007, he served as a member of the Barbados Senate. He also held key board and governance roles, including Deputy Chairman and later Chairman of the Transport Board, Deputy Chairman of the Barbados Accreditation Council, and Director and later Chairman of the National Insurance Board from 2013 to 2020.

In July 2020, Ian was appointed to Cabinet, serving first as Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources. Following the 2022 General Election, he was assigned as Minister of Health and Wellness from January to October 2022, and subsequently as Minister of Tourism and International Transport from October 26, 2022, to the present.

He was educated at St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School, AHMA, and the Cornell University School of Hotel Management.

James Paul is a leader in agriculture, former parliamentarian and an advocate of food security and sustainable development. He is the Chief Executive Office of the Barbados Agricultural Society.

Katrina Ramsay is a cybersecurity professional, entrepreneur, and community advocate dedicated to empowering people and strengthening local businesses through innovation, integrity, and accountability.