Industry position:
Attorney at Law / Chairman of the Bahamas branch - Charted Institute of Arbitrators/London
What attracted you to the sector?
I became interested in pursuing a career in diplomacy while studying French at La Sorbonne, Paris, France. My deceased brother, Richard Cooper, himself a lawyer, encouraged me to read law after I had finished my tertiary education in France. I studied for the LLB in London, while simultaneously working as a full-time officer at The Bahamas Maritime Office. My primary duties were in the areas of registration of mortgages, an area of ship finance, which firmly established my interest in the financial sector.
How long have you been involved in financial services?
Following my call to the Bar in 1993, I practiced over a broad range of areas in the law, but my primary interest was in corporate and commercial laws. I became actively interested in financial services about one decade ago, and have been involved in the sector since then.
What keeps you motivated?
We all know that life is full of challenges. I meet these challenges, and bring stability to my professional and personal like by drawing inspiration, strength and hope from God. My conviction of The Bahamas' potential to be a premier international arbitration center in the Americas with capacity to complement other arbitral seats around the globe particularly motivates me. Ensuring that there are successors in the industry in 2030 and beyond is also an important motivating factor for me.
Why do you think you have been successful?
I attribute my success to the favor of God and the kindness of persons that have touched my life. My parents, especially my father the Late Rev. Dr. R. E. Cooper Sr. made huge sacrifices for my education and instilled in me a determination and appreciation for life and the opportunities it brings. Along the way, persons have sowed into my success. For example, my benefactor the late Frank Lloyd was instrumental to my completing my studies in France and England after my father's death. Of course, it was left to me to embrace the opportunities afforded to me, and as with others, hard work, dedication and a fearless determination to re-start from ground zero all contributed to where I am today.
Did mentoring play a part in your success?
Yes, I consider mentoring critical. Friends, family and associates have mentored me over the years in areas as wide as business etiquette, diplomacy, and in the legal and financial sectors. I do believe, however, that mentoring should start at home; my parents were my first mentors. I have also found that mentorship is not hinged on age, but rather experience and a willingness to share.
What qualifications do you feel are the most useful in helping you perform in the sector?
Fluent knowledge of the French language has enabled me to provide professional services to the francophone community. Additionally, obtaining my Series 7 has given me the investment knowledge and exposure to respond effectively to a dynamic and evolving marketplace and particularly to the business needs of my clients.
Training with The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London has allowed me to provide the option of Arbitration/Alternative Dispute Resolution to clients who are keen to conduct business in The Bahamas, and want a commercially viable option to settle disputes.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge in my career has been staying innovative and seeking new opportunities within the global community. This is a continuing challenge. In order to meet the challenge, I regularly attend legal and financial conferences all over the world, to remain on the cutting edge of what is happening internationally, and to be familiar with what others globally perceive as the future of the financial industry. Also, I research market developments and remain abreast of the global financial regulatory climate.
What advice would you give young people just starting out in the industry?
I would say to young people that they should learn how the financial markets operate. I strongly advise them to read and research to understand national, regional and international economies. Exposure by means of travel or internships whether in The Bahamas, regionally or worldwide would prove to be very strategic for future networking, and the establishment of a competitive curriculum vitae. I advise young people that becoming fluent in a foreign language in which business is conducted is more pertinent today than it was when I was studying.
I also encourage young people to pursue their vision with laser focus and not to be afraid of dismantling "the box" and embracing the global market.
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