Industry Position: Ops. Product Specialist (Trust Officer), UBS Trustees (Bahamas) Ltd.
 
What attracted you to the sector?

Can I simply say "faith"? Thereafter, everything else helped to guide me into my current growth in the industry.  It has not been all easy, but thankfully, I have gained a multitude of experience and friends.  It's funny that a few years ago, I found a dream writing I did prior to first traveling to university and it read that I wanted to be a trust officer, with a certain salary. Really ironic.  Almost 20 some years later, Trust is what I am doing.  I guess, I was really impressed by the professionals in the office and the information that I obtained at Chase Manhattan in my early years.
 
How long have you been involved in financial services?

I have been engaged in the sector for 13-plus years, starting in formation of IBC Companies and New Business then progressing into Trust Administration.  Sharing in these three sectors of Trust business matures you and gives a complete understanding of Wealth Management.
I began my trust financial career working at Chase Manhattan Bank prior to leaving for university.  Once returning from university, I spent a little over a year working at Imperial Life Insurance Company before re-entering the trust industry with Andrew Law, Christina Rolle-Beneby and Nicola Farrington at Credit Suisse Trust Limited (where I completed the STEP exams) and Pearl Investment Management, a subsidiary, where I spent almost nine years inclusively.  After leaving Credit Suisse Trust, I spent a short time at The Winterbotham Trust Company and, thereafter, joined UBS Trustees (Bahamas) Ltd. where I have been now for six years (as of March 1, 2012).
 
What keeps you motivated?

Learning! And the changing industry and our growing financial industry.  Also, meeting great professionals in the markets.
 
Did mentoring play a part in your success?

Indeed!  Firstly, by the mentorship of my parents and then the professionals that I encountered closely in my growing career.  Some of the persons that have helped in this area are, but are not limited to, Cassine Grant-Kinnear (Chase Manhattan Trust), Andrew Law (Credit Suisse Trust), the Management of UBS Trustees (Bahamas) and Alrena Moxey (Winterbotham) - together with colleagues from all of the named places I have been employed with, on a daily basis. I have learnt that everyday someone touches your life and however that experience is taken is surely a lasting learned experience.
 
What qualifications do you feel are the most useful in helping you perform? 
My STEP designation for sure.  Also, all the certificates (for example, in areas such as compliance, KYC, UBS person training, trust and fiduciary services etc.)  gained by mandatory examinations offered to UBS employees as a means of keeping their employees aware of changes in business practice and regulations. These tests/assessments are offered only to the employees via an e-learning/UBS University engine, and are a must-have for any employee.  My performance in the sector also has been enhanced by the regular updates received from STEP Worldwide and from the STEP Bahamas educational and interactive luncheons on the changing times in our Bahamas location and internationally.  Also helpful is attendance in the various symposiums offered by the local heads of the financial industry, such as BFSB, AIBT, law firms and investment companies.
 
What has been the biggest challenge in your career?

Being made redundant firstly and then encountering individuals in the workplace who do not share in the same positive outlooks I have in life and trying to encourage persons to learn from every experience.  I never gave up!  I reminded myself that I had the tools that I needed to market myself educationally and professionally and that is what I did.  Also, by talking about it to persons who have more experience in the financial industry, observing, listening and sharing in the workplace and trying to remain positive in every circumstance.
 
What advice would you give young people just starting out in the industry?

Choose a sector that best fits your personality and dreams.  Educate yourself; read, read, read and stay current with business news, locally and internationally and the changes in your country's laws and industries. Then, equip yourself with every tool desired and necessary to compete in that chosen industry/market that you find yourself drawn to.  That, together with a positive attitude will propel any individual to a level of success that would exceed even his/her own expectations.

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