The Cabinet are individuals of Barbados which execute the duties of the Government of Barbados. Under a Parliamentary republic, these powers are vested nominally by the president of Barbados, but are exercised in practice by a cabinet ministers, presided over by the prime minister of Barbados. The prime minister is formally appointed by the president: the president must appoint, as prime minister, someone who can control a majority of votes in the House of Assembly. In practice, this is normally the leader of the largest political party or coalition in the house. When there is no clear majority, the president assumes the role of arbitrator and opens negotiations with the leaders of the various political parties, in the hope of finding someone whom a majority will accept as prime minister. In the event of that failing to take place, the president must dissolve the House of Assembly and call an early election.
History The Cabinet system of government was implemented in the colony of Barbados on 1 February 1954 leading to attainment of full self-government. Prior to an official Cabinet, the role was fulfilled by the colonial era Executive Council on the island. Under the Constitution of Barbados, Cabinet is not prescribed a maximum number Cabinet of Ministers, however, it must have no fewer than five members. The first Cabinet of Barbados was led by Premier Sir Grantley Herbert Adams. The four other Ministers were: The Hon. Dr. H.G.H. Cummins (Member 1935–36; 1940–1961); The Hon. Mencea Ethereal Cox (later Sir Mencea, member 1944–1961; senator 1976–1981; The Hon. R. G. Mapp (later Sir Ronald, member 1946–1961; Senator 1976–1979); The Hon. C. E. Talma (later Sir Edwy, member 1944–1948; 1951–1976) Between 30 November 1966 and 30 November 2021, after Barbados was granted independence, under a Westminster system of governance, the ceremonial head of state was Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados (represented by the governor-general) while the office of the premier became the prime minister as it is now presently known. After Barbados transitioned to a republic on 30 November 2021, the Monarchy of Barbados was abolished along with the office of the governor-general with the governor-general's duties and powers transferring to the president of Barbados, who became head of state.
Current
The following represents to current composition of ministers, following general elections on February 12, 2026.
Government Minister Cabinet Positions The Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MP Prime Minister Minister of Economic Affairs and Development Minister of National Security The Honourable Santia Bradshaw, MP Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Environment, National Beautification and Fisheries The Honourable Wilfred Abrahams, SC, MP Senior Minister for Governance Attorney GeneralSenator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, FB, JP, MBBS, FRCSSenior Minister coordinating Social and Environmental Policy with responsibility for Reform of the Social Sector The Honourable Kerrie Symmonds, MP Senior Minister for the Productive Sectors Minister of Energy, Business Development and Consumer Affairs Senator The Honourable Christopher Sinckler Senior Minister, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade The Honourable Kirk Humphrey Senior Minister coordinating Infrastructural Projects Minister of Transport and Works The Honourable Gregory Nicholls, MP Minister of Home Affairs and Information The Honourable Indar Weir, MP Minister of Public and Private Investment The Honourable Ian Gooding-Edghill, MP Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator The Honourable Lisa Cummins Minister of Health and Wellness The Honourable Michael Lashley, KC, MP Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice The Honourable Kay McConney, MP Minister of the Public Service and Talent Development The Honourable Christopher Gibbs, MP Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance The Honourable Adrian Forde, MP Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs The Honourable Colin Jordan, MP Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector Senator The Honourable Jonathan Reid Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology The Honourable Charles Griffith, MP Minister of Sports and Community Empowerment The Honourable Ryan Straughn, MP Minister of Finance Senator The Honourable Chad Blackman Minister of Education Transformation The Honourable Shantal Munro-Knight, MP, Ph.D Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security The Honourable Sandra Husbands, MP Minister of Technological and Vocational Training The Honourable Trevor Prescod, MP Minister in the Prime Minister's Office for Pan-African Affairs and Heritage The Honourable Marsha K. Caddle, MP Minister in the Prime Minister's Office for Economic Affairs and Planning
List of Government Ministries, Ministers and Permanent Secretaries
+MinistryMinister ResponsiblePermanent SecretaryCabinet OfficeThe Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MP (Prime Minister)Ms. Selma Green, acting Cabinet SecretaryPrime Minister's OfficeThe Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MP (Prime Minister)
Dr. the Honourable William Fondleroy Duguid, JP, MP (Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office for Infrastructural Projects and Town Planning Matters)
Senator The Honourable Shantal Munro-Knight, PhD (Minister in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for the Sustainable Development Goals, Commitment for Results and Culture)The Most Honourable Alies Jordan, FB
Ambassador Sandra Phillips (Special Assignment - Commitment For Results)
Ms. Gabrielle Springer (Director General, Infrastructure)Ministry of the Public ServiceThe Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MPMs. Penelope Linton (acting) (Director General, Human Resources)Ministry of Transport and WorksThe Honourable Santia Bradshaw, M.P (Deputy Prime Minister)Mr. Andrew GittensMinistry of FinanceThe Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MP
The Honourable Ryan Straughn, M.PMs. Octavia FordeMinistry of Economic Affairs and InvestmentThe Honourable Kay McConney, MP Mr. Patrick McCaskie (acting)Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign TradeThe Honourable Kerrie Symmonds, M.PAmbassador Joy-ann Skinner (acting)Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal AffairsThe Hon. Dale Marshall, SC, MPMr. Timothy MaynardMinistry of Educational TransformationSenator The Honourable Chad BlackmanMs. Wendy Odle (acting)Ministry of Training and Tertiary EducationThe Honourable Sandra Husbands, MPnilMinistry of Home Affairs and InformationThe Honourable Wilfred Abrahams, MPMs. Jenifer King (acting)Ministry of Health and WellnessSenator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, FB, JP, MBBS, FRCSMr. Wayne Marshall (acting)Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional SecurityThe Honourable Indar Weir, MPMr. Terry Bascombe (acting) Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third SectorThe Honourable Colin Jordan, MPMs. Marva Howell (acting)Ministry of Housing, Lands and MaintenanceThe Honourable Dwight Sutherland, MPMr. H. Nikita SmithMinistry of Energy and BusinessSenator The Honourable Lisa CumminsMr. Kevin Hunte (acting) Ministry of Tourism and International TransportThe Honourable Ian Gooding-Edghill, MPMs. Francine Blackman (acting) (Tourism)
Mr. Charley Browne (acting) (International Transport)Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community EmpowermentThe Honourable Charles McDonald Griffith, MPMs. Joy Adamson (acting)Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder AffairsThe Honourable Kirk Humphrey, MPMr. Jehu WiltshireMinistry of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue EconomyThe Honourable Adrian Forde, MPMs. Yolande HowardMinistry of Industry, Innovation, Science and TechnologySenator The Honourable Jonathan ReidMs. Claudette Hope-Greenidge (acting)
Ministers by common portfolios Education Ministers
Health Ministers
Finance Ministers
Law Ministers
Trade Ministers
By Administration
Mia Mottley 2022 Cabinet Final Cabinet of the 2022-2027 Term
Government Minister Cabinet Positions The Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MP Prime Minister Minister of Finance Minister of National Security and the Public Service The Honourable Santia Bradshaw, MP Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Transport and Works The Honourable Dale Marshall, SC, MP Senior Minister for Governance Attorney General and Minister of Legal AffairsSenator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, FB, JP, MBBS, FRCSSenior Minister coordinating Social and Environmental Policy with responsibility for Reform of the Social Sector The Honourable Kerrie Symmonds, MP Senior Minister for the Productive Sectors Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr. The Honourable William Duguid, JP, MP Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Infrastructural Projects and Town Planning Matters The Honourable Wilfred Abrahams, MP Minister of Home Affairs and Information The Honourable Indar Weir, MP Minister of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security The Honourable Ian Gooding-Edghill, MP Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator The Honourable Lisa Cummins Minister of Energy and Business The Honourable Kay McConney, MP Minister of Economic Affairs and Investment The Honourable Dwight Sutherland, MP Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance The Honourable Kirk Humphrey Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs The Honourable Adrian Forde, MP Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy The Honourable Colin Jordan, MP Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector Senator The Honourable Jonathan Reid Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology The Honourable Charles Griffith, MP Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment The Honourable Ryan Straughn, MP Minister in the Ministry of Finance Senator The Honourable Chad Blackman Minister of Educational Transformation Senator The Honourable Shantal Munro-Knight, Ph.D Minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for Sustainable Development, Commitment for Results and Culture The Honourable Davidson Ishmael, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness The Honourable Sandra Husbands, MP Minister of Training and Tertiary Education February 25, 2025 Reshuffle The Honourable Marsha Caddle, MP and the Honourable Corey Lane, JP, MP both resigned from the Cabinet on January 25, 2025. As a consequence, the following changes were made.
Government Minister Old Position New Position The Honourable Marsha Caddle, MP Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology not applicable The Honourable Corey Lane, JP, MP Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General responsible for Crime Prevention not applicable Senator The Honourable Chad Blackman Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Minister of Educational Transformation The Honourable Sandra Husbands, MP Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training Minister of Training and Tertiary Education The Honourable Kay McConney, MP Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training Minister of Economic Affairs and Investment Senator The Honourable Jonathan Reid not applicable Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology
January 2024 Reshuffle On January 6, 2024, the Prime Minister announced a Cabinet reshuffle with effect from January 8, 2024. The most notable change in the make up of Ministers comes with the resignation of Dr. Sonia Browne, MP. The details of the few changes are outlined below.