Bradley Bernard Emanuel Roberts was a businessman, politician, and a former Bahamian Cabinet Minister.

Early life and education

Bradley Bernard Emanuel Roberts was born in New Providence, the Bahamas on Christmas Day, 1943, to Mrs. Merle Eloise Roberts nee Albury (1920 - 2007) and Mr. Rupert Anthony Cyril “Tony” Roberts III (1920 - 1990). He attended St. Francis Xavier Primary School, St. Augustine’s College, the Eastern Senior School and the Government High School Evening Institute (later The College of The Bahamas).  Roberts also completed correspondence courses and attended seminars.

Career

Roberts served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bain and Grants Town Constituency from 1982-2007. Roberts entered politics when he first contested the seat in the Shirlea Constituency for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in 1977 against Sir Roland Symonette MHA. He was Opposition Whip and Leader of Opposition Business in Parliament and subsequently elected as the PLP party’s National Chairman in 2000. He has served as chairman of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), the New Providence Port Authority, the Housing Commission, and the Gaming Board of The Bahamas. He has also served as a Director of The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation.

On 7 May 2002, he was sworn in as Minister of Works and Utilities and had responsibility for: the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Bahamas Telecommunication Corporation Ltd, and Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation as well as the national flag carrier, Bahamasair. He has also acted as Prime Minister on several occasions.

Roberts did not seek re-election in the 2 May 2007 General Election, deciding instead to retire. He later came out of retirement and was re-elected as Chairman of the PLP in November 2009.

He previously served as Chairman of Sunshine Holdings Company Ltd., President of Burns House Ltd., the Vice-Chairman of General Bahamian Companies Ltd., and Vice-President and Director of Freeport Oil Ltd.
Roberts gained work experience at The Bahamas Telecommunications Company and Caribbean Motors Ltd., before entering the beverage industry, where he was a Senior Executive for 37 years.

He has held directorships in Burns House Ltd., Commonwealth Brewery Ltd., Associated Bahamian Distillers, and Autos Breweries (1979) Ltd., Bethel Robertson & Co. Ltd., Arawak Homes Ltd., Eleuthera Properties Ltd., Sunshine Holdings Ltd., Freeport Oil Company Ltd., In-flight Kitchen Ltd. and several other Bahamian companies.

Personal life

Roberts was married to the former Hartlyn M. Mackey of Eleuthera. They had four children, one of whom is deceased.

Roberts, a Roman Catholic, is a member of the Royal Eagle Lodge and a member and past President of the Rotary Club of West Nassau.

Death

Roberts died on 25 October 2018.  He was 74.