Sir Philip Greaves (born 19 January 1931) is a Barbadian politician and public figure. He served as acting Governor‑General of Barbados from 1 July 2017 until 8 January 2018. In that interim role he carried out the viceregal, constitutional and ceremonial functions associated with the crown's representative in the country while a permanent appointment was pending.
Role and responsibilities
The office of Governor‑General in Barbados is the constitutional representative of the sovereign and performs duties such as giving assent to legislation, summoning and dissolving Parliament, commissioning ministers and representing the state at official events. An acting Governor‑General fills these functions temporarily and ensures continuity of constitutional government. During his tenure Sir Philip performed these routine but important duties until a successor took office.
Styling as "Sir" indicates that Greaves has been granted an honorific title consistent with national or Commonwealth honours, a mark commonly given to individuals with long public service. He is widely described as a longtime figure in Barbadian public life, and his appointment as acting Governor‑General was an administrative measure to maintain the formal operations of the head-of-state representation.
Key facts
- Full name: Sir Philip Greaves.
- Born: 19 January 1931.
- Nationality: Barbadian — see Barbados.
- Acting Governor‑General: 1 July 2017 to 8 January 2018.
- Age at start of acting term: 86 years.
Sir Philip Greaves' period as acting Governor‑General is one part of a broader public career. Acting viceregal appointments are intended to be temporary and administrative; they sustain constitutional processes until a permanent Governor‑General is nominated and sworn in. His service exemplifies the functioning of parliamentary and constitutional conventions in contemporary Barbados.