Ambassador George Anthony Hylton is a graduate of Kingston College and holds a B.Sc. (Political Science, minor in Chemistry) from Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD; a Juris Doctor (JD) from Georgetown University; a Masters degree (LL.M) from the University of London, focus on Aviation & Shipping Law; London Institute of World Affairs Certificate in Air & Space Law. Legal Certificate from Norman Manley Law School.
Ambassador Hylton practiced law in Baltimore, New York and Washington DC, specializing in Aviation and Commercial law. Since returning to Jamaica (1989) he has practiced with Hylton Brown and Samuda & Johnson, Law Firms, currently heads the trade practice.
He was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1993- 2002 for Western St. Thomas; served as a senator 2003-2007 and re-elected as Member of Parliament for the constituency of St. Andrew Western 2007 to present).
Ambassador Hylton has served as Parliamentary Secretary and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade (2006-20070; Minister of Mining & Energy (2000); Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce (2011) where he directed the establishing of the MSME and Entrepreneurship Policy, which forms the basis for policy intervention and government support for the MSME sector. He envisioned, conceptualized, developed and launched the Global Logistics Hub Initiative of Jamaica.
He was Executive Director of Legal and Foreign Affairs in the Government’s Policy Unit at OPM; Appointed Ambassador and Special Envoy (2001-2005) responsible for Energy Policy and the diversification plan for Jamaica’s Energy Mix, including LNG.
He has been the Chair of the National Competitive Council, and a leading negotiator in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME); the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the European Union, Africa, Caribbean and Pacific(ACP) Cotonou Agreement.
Ambassador Hylton, chaired the Policy Commission Progressive Agenda Policy and Philosophical framework of the People’s National, currently serves as Chairman of former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s Legacy Committee and is the Legal Officer for the People’s National Party.
Ambassador Hylton is the holder of Benin’s highest National Honour for negotiating the Cotonou Agreement with the European Union, a recipient of the US Presidential Award for Humanitarian Service to Jamaica and the International Community from President Obama, and the Commander of Distinction Award (CD) from the Government of Jamaica.
