Richard Oliver Skerritt, more affectionately known as “Ricky”, became Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism, Sports & Culture in 2004 following the October general elections of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis.

Throughout his distinguished life and career, Minister Skerritt has been heavily involved in varied pursuits related to his current position. He began his working life as a science teacher at his alma mater, the Basseterre High School, where he excelled in sports and academia. Skerritt subsequently held top positions in private enterprise on St. Kitts, such as: Delisle Walwyn & Co. Ltd – a leading travel and tourism company, Blue Water Safaris, the Ocean Terrace Inn Group of Companies and the St. Kitts Bottling Co., Ltd.

Prior to his Ministerial appointment, he was the first full time Manager of the West Indies Cricket Team; cricket being a sport he had been affiliated with at all levels for over twenty years. It is therefore no surprise that Ricky has been instrumental in attracting international cricket at the highest level to St. Kitts and Nevis, which was a host venue for the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup (ICC CWC) 2007.