Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Government of the Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago
Ms. Desdra Bascombe achieved her Bachelor’s degree in History and Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies (U.W.I), St Augustine Campus. Subsequently, she pursued a Master’s degree in Sociology at the same campus, followed by an MBA at U.W.I. Mona campus three years later.
She embarked on her professional journey at the Service Commissions Department, where she served in various capacities within Human Resources for a commendable 15-year span, culminating in the esteemed position of Senior Human Resources Officer. Departing from the Service Commissions Department, she assumed the role of Director of Public Management at the Ministry of Public Administration and Information. Ms. Bascombe held this pivotal position from 2003 to 2007, concurrently enriching her skill set through numerous short courses, encompassing Project Management in Government, Human Resources Development Administration, Process Improvement, Measurement, and Strategies, to name a few.
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In 2007, Ms. Bascombe took on the mantle of Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Security and subsequently, Acting Permanent Secretary. Her trajectory led her to the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism in 2012, where she assumed the role of Acting Permanent Secretary. In 2014, she transitioned to the Office of the Prime Minister, where she continued her service as Acting Permanent Secretary.
Towards the end of 2014, she was entrusted with the position of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Food Production, and in September 2015, she was reassigned to her current role as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government.
Outside her professional endeavours, Ms. Bascombe is a passionate advocate for the arts, with a particular affinity for pan and parang. She eagerly anticipates the holiday season, with Christmas serving as the pinnacle of her year, as it provides her with a platform to express her deep-rooted musical passion through captivating performances with Los Paranderos de UWI.
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Mr. Peter E. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Regulation and Policy (Telecommunications), both conferred by the University of the West Indies. His dedicated public service career commenced in August 1993, and he currently holds the position of Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, a role he assumed on November 16, 2023.
Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Mitchell served as the Director of Research in the Investment Division of the Ministry of Finance. Before that, he spent nearly twelve years in the Ministry of Planning and Development, undertaking various senior roles, including Acting Director of Project Planning and Reconstruction from April 2019 to October 2022, and Acting Assistant Director of Socio-Economic Policy Planning from January 2013 to April 2019. His contributions extend to several other Government Ministries, including Public Administration, Information and Communication Technology, Science, Technology, Tertiary Education, and the Office of the Prime Minister.
In the realm of public service and institutional reform, Mr. Mitchell played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) and the National Information and Communication Technology Company (iGovTT). He actively participated in the Project Steering Committee for the Public Financial Management Reform Programme and contributed to various Inter-Ministerial Committees focused on national planning and macro-economic policy. Presently, Mr. Mitchell represents the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government on the Board of the National Physical Planning Authority (NPA).
His involvement extends beyond national borders, having represented the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at regional and international conferences. Noteworthy instances include being a Member of the Trinidad and Tobago Delegation to the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank in Montevideo, Uruguay (2012), serving as the Country Representative to the Third Global Biennial Conference on Small States in St. Lucia (2014), and participating as a Member of the Trinidad and Tobago Delegation to the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States in Apia, Samoa (2014).
Between December 2013 and July 2015, Mr. Mitchell served as the Capital-based Representative on the United Nations General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG), contributing to the preparation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In June 2019, he was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Delegation to the 49th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) held in Port of Spain.
Ms. Annalean Inniss assumed duties as Permanent Secretary (Ag) in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government on March 13, 2024, and previously served as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government from February 1st, 2023.Â
Permanent Secretary Inniss brings with her a wealth of Public Sector experience, having initially joined the Ministry in 2006 in the legal services division. During her tenure she played a pivotal role in the execution of key policy initiatives, programmes and projects of the Ministry, with keen focus on the Ministry’s Legislative Agenda and the implementation of Local Government Reform.Â
With over 25 years’ experience in the legal profession, and having spent more than 13 years in Senior Legal positions within the Ministry Local Government, Ms. Inniss has considerable experience in policy and strategy development, and the implementation and monitoring of projects and programmes impacting the lives of the citizenry.
In addition to her legal experience, Ms. Inniss brings a wealth of knowledge in Business Administration, Project Management, Procurement and Human Resource Management and she currently serves on the Board of several State Enterprises across the Telecommunication, Finance and Investment, Land Administration and Construction, Manufacturing (Food) and Cultural sectors. While her academic and legal acumen is a highlight, she is also an avid sports enthusiast and is passionate about providing a positive environment for all citizens to realise their full potential and contribute to the development of Trinidad and Tobago.Â
Annalean Inniss is the holder of a Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School, St. Augustine. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (Hons) from the University of the West Indies and an Executive Master’s of Business Administration (EMBA) from the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. Ms Inniss is also a professional member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
© 2023 Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
© 2023 Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago