"A leader Goes the way is one who knows the way, is one who knows the way,"
Dedication
This biography is respectfully and gratefully dedicated to the pillars of my life my late parents, my children, and all those who walked with me quietly and faithfully on this lifelong journey of service, purpose, and perseverance.
To my late mother, Jacinta Zina Outridge, a business owner whose strength was silent but steadfast, whose grace was matched only by her courage. You were the soul of our home, and it is from you that I inherited the values of discipline, hard work, and quiet dignity. You taught me how to lead with humility and give without expecting, to believe in myself even when the road ahead was unclear. Your sacrifices are the invisible scaffolding on which my achievements were built.
To my late father, Irvin Edward Outridge, a dedicated Land and Property Manager whose example became my compass. You taught me the meaning of responsibility, fairness, and long vision. Watching you navigate the world with integrity and resolve instilled in me a deep respect for honest work and measured leadership. Though you spoke little of success, you embodied it in how you lived, guided, and gave of yourself without reserve.
To my three children Fiona Outridge and Sophia Outridge, both Attorneys at Law, and Eric Outridge, Information Technology Manager specializing in Data Warehousing and Business Solutions you are the joy of my life and the fulfillment of every hope I ever held. I see in each of you the continuation of a legacy that began long before me, one that is rooted in service, intellect, and kindness. Your accomplishments are Your own, but they are also part of the quiet dream your grandparents once dared to dream. I hope my journey has shown you that anything is possible when pursued with discipline, integrity, and grace.
To my extended family, friends, and community members who lent their faith when mine faltered, who celebrated the milestones and stood silently through the setbacks your support is etched into every step I took. You believed in me not just as a professional or a leader, but as a person, and that belief gave me the courage to keep building, teaching, advocating, and serving.
And to every young person in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean who sees limits where there should be opportunity this story is yours. Let it remind you that roots, no matter how modest, can give rise to greatness. That your voice, even if unheard at first, has the power to shape policies, build institutions, and change lives. And that the true measure of success is not in titles earned or accolades received, but in the good you leave behind.
This dedication is not a tribute to my story alone it is a reflection of the many lives, known and unknown, who helped write it.
Dr. Derek Outridge
Phase 1 : Early Foundations and Academic Excellence
“Hard work is the silent architect of dreams, building bridges over doubts and laying foundations beneath every hope.”
Dr. Derek Outridge’s journey into the world of construction, law, and academia was grounded in an early commitment to excellence and fueled by a relentless pursuit of knowledge. Born with a natural curiosity and a disciplined mindset, he carved his path through rigorous academic achievement, bolstered by a government scholarship and a hunger for intellectual growth that would come to define his life’s work.
Dr. Derek Outridge’s journey toward excellence began long before his first academic accolade or professional title. It began in the heart of a home shaped by two resilient and principled individuals his parents. His mother, Jacinta Zina Outridge, was a business owner whose entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for Derek’s own ventures into leadership and innovation. Her tireless work ethic and quiet strength served as daily lessons in perseverance, resourcefulness, and independence. She was not only a provider but also a steady source of wisdom, constantly reinforcing the value of self-discipline, vision, and compassion in both life and business.
His father, Irvin Edward Outridge, was a Land and Property Manager a profession that naturally influenced Derek’s eventual calling in quantity surveying, construction, and valuation. With an eye for detail and a deep respect for land, Irvin instilled in his son the importance of stewardship, fairness, and long-term thinking. Derek often credits his father’s calm reasoning and grounded decision-making as formative influences on his own professional judgment and integrity. Together, his parents embodied a powerful duality entrepreneurial vigor and managerial diligence that would inspire Derek to pursue a career at the intersection of construction, governance, and education with clarity, ambition, and humility.
His academic journey commenced with a focus on the built environment, a passion that was recognized early on through his successful attainment of a Government of Trinidad and Tobago Scholarship, a prestigious award that enabled him to pursue tertiary studies abroad. This opportunity led him to the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, one of the most respected institutions for construction and surveying disciplines. At Reading, Derek distinguished himself as a remarkable student, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree (First Class Honours) in Quantity Surveying. His outstanding performance earned him two significant accolades: the University Prize in Quantity Surveying and the Chartered Institute of Building Prize for Advanced Building Construction a testament to both academic merit and technical proficiency.
Upon returning to the Caribbean, Dr. Derek Outridge continued to expand his intellectual horizons. He enrolled in the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme in Surveying and Land Information at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine Campus in Trinidad. This advanced degree cemented his theoretical and practical understanding of land systems and valuation surveying in a regional development context and provided a platform for deeper research into the construction industries of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.
Phase 2 : Professional Milestones and Industry Leadership
"Success is not about the applause of the crowd, but the quiet satisfaction that comes from knowing you gave your best when no one was watching.”
Following his exceptional academic achievements, Dr. Derek Outridge transitioned seamlessly into the professional arena, establishing himself as a respected figure within the construction and surveying industries across Trinidad and Tobago, the wider Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. His career, spanning over 45 years, is marked by a succession of leadership roles, groundbreaking projects, and significant institutional contributions positioning him as both a technical expert and an industry visionary.
Dr. Derek Outridge began his professional journey in an engineering company, where he honed the practical skills that would underpin his future leadership. His grounding in this environment allowed him to engage directly with the technical and logistical complexities of construction work, while also developing a strategic mindset essential for long-term success. It was within this context that his leadership abilities began to emerge, ultimately propelling him into roles of increasing influence.
In 1997, he took a significant entrepreneurial step by founding QES & Associates Limited, a Chartered Quantity Surveying and Contract Management firm. Over the next 28 years, the company would rise to prominence, becoming a trusted name in the local and regional construction sectors. Under his leadership as Managing Director, QES handled an array of major infrastructural projects, offering services in contract administration, quality assurance, and health and safety. One of the firm’s most high-profile assignments was acting as FIDIC Engineer for the TT$1.3 billion Arima General Hospital, where Dr. Derek Outridge oversaw the commissioning and testing of more than 1,600 medical equipment systems an enormous undertaking that required precision, compliance, and executive oversight.
In addition to leading QES, Dr. Derek Outridge was instrumental in expanding the business across the Caribbean. In 2010, he was appointed Managing Director of QES/DC Limited, with operations in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, steering the firm toward becoming an RICS-Registered Valuation Firm and Property Consultancy. His business leadership was not confined to construction alone; he also served as a Senior Partner at Outridge Law & Co., Attorneys at Law, Arbitrators, and Mediators, leveraging his legal expertise to serve clients with complex contractual and dispute resolution needs. Further extending his business portfolio, he became a Partner at QVR Associates in Grenada, where his firm provided mortgage evaluations, property valuations, and funding oversight for financial institutions.
Dr. Derek Outridge’s project portfolio is extensive, cutting across multiple sectors and nations. He provided pre- and post-contract services for numerous public-sector developments in Trinidad and Tobago, including the South Attorney General Offices (2012), the Water and Sewerage Authority World Bank Programme (2007), and the Secondary Schools Condition Assessment Programme (2004). In the sports infrastructure sector, he was engaged in the FIFA 2001 Stadia Programme, which involved both the refurbishment of the 22,500-seat Hasely Crawford Stadium and the construction of four new 10,000-seat stadiums across the country projects that required both logistical dexterity and strategic budgetary control.
Phase 3 : Public Service and Legislative Impact
“Success is often a slow, silent march, paved by the footsteps of those who refused to give up when the world offered only silence in return.”
Dr. Derek Outridge’s distinguished professional life is matched in depth and dedication by his record of public service. His contributions to national development extended far beyond boardrooms and construction sites, reaching into the very heart of legislative discourse and civic leadership in Trinidad and Tobago. His public life reflects a commitment to responsible governance, inclusive dialogue, and community empowerment principles that have defined his impact in the nation’s civic and legislative arenas.
His leadership in public service also extended to the civic and community sphere. As President of the Curepe Presbyterian Primary School Parent Teachers’ Association from 1997 to 1999, Dr. Outridge spearheaded the establishment of both the Computer Science Wing and a modern cafeteria at the school. These initiatives were early examples of his belief in using technical and project management skills to uplift educational institutions and provide equitable opportunities for youth development.
Between 1999 and 2001, Dr. Outridge led one of Trinidad’s influential regional business organizations as President of the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce. In this role, he rapidly expanded the Chamber’s membership and worked to integrate private-sector concerns into national policy discussions. Notably, he chaired a national seminar on crime prevention, convening chambers of commerce and civil society groups to address one of the country’s most pressing issues. His tenure culminated in a high-profile awards function where he hosted the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and honored past chamber presidents, cementing his role as a respected intermediary between government and business stakeholders.
In parallel, Dr. Derek Outridge dedicated time and leadership to service clubs and civil society organizations. As a Board Member and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Rotary Club of Piarco, he made lasting contributions through literacy initiatives and community development. His work earned him three Paul Harris Fellowships, the Rotary’s highest honor, in recognition of his sustained and impactful service. One of his notable achievements was establishing a Reading Literacy Programme for primary school students in rural districts, reflecting his continued investment in education and equity.
In 2001, Dr. Derek Outridge was appointed by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to serve as a Temporary Independent Senator in Parliament. This prestigious role placed him among a select group entrusted with shaping national laws and policies free from partisan influence—a position demanding integrity, independent thought, and a deep understanding of national affairs. During his tenure from 2001 to 2002, Dr. Outridge made substantial contributions to critical legislative debates, many of which had long-term impacts on governance, land use, and sustainable development.