Orlando Smith

He was educated at British Virgin Islands High School from 1955 to 1961. He attended the University of the West Indies from 1963 to 1969, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1971 to 1974, The Royal School of Public Health from 1972 to 1973, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine from 1984 to 1985.^[1]

At Peebles Hospital Smith was a medical officer from 1970 to 1971. He was a medical officer in London from 1971 to 1974. He was a senior registrar of surgery in the British Virgin Islands from 1975 to 1975, and worked as a surgeon from 1979 to 1999.^[1]

Smith was a founding member of the National Democratic Party (NDP).^[2] As head of the NDP Smith was the Leader of the Opposition after winning a seat in the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands in the 1999 election.^[1]

From 2003 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019, Smith was the Premier of the Virgin Islands. He was leader of the opposition from 2007 to 2011.^[1] Smith led a trade mission to South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria in 2018; it was the first trade mission the British Virgin Islands sent to Africa.^[3]

Smith declined to seek reelection as leader of the NDP on 23 June 2018,^[4] and was succeeded by Myron Walwyn.^[5] Smith did not contest the 2019 election.^[6]

Queen Elizabeth II included Smith in the New Year Honours list in 2000. The Order of the British Empire was awarded to him.^[7] Peebles Hospital was renamed in honour of him in 2019.^[8] He is married and is the father of three children.^[1]