The Tribune

Aliya Allen, the Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB) chief executive, has announced that April Nicole Turner has been selected as the industry’s Executive of the Year.

A partner at the McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes law firm, she also serves as chief operating officer at its affiliate, MB& H Corporate Services, a licensee under the Financial and Corporate Service Providers Act.

In submitting the nomination, her colleagues said Mrs Turner has demonstrated a keen understanding of the trends and challenges in the financial services industry, both locally and globally, which has allowed her to develop a vision for the future growth of MB&H Corporate Services that reflects the dynamic and innovative nature of the industry.

Under her leadership, its business model has been modified to exploit the opportunities of the changing financial services landscape.

The BFSB will recognise Mrs Turner at a Gala Awards Banquet on Friday, November 9, at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. Awards will also be presented in five other categories: Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Achiever of the Year, FSI Development and Promotion, and Student of the Year.

The Blue Ribbon Panel, which determines the award winner, said Mrs Turner had introduced new systems at MB&H Corporate Services, amended procedures, conducted internal reviews of precedents and documents, revamped the fee structure, introduced training for staff members, improved the client service platform and implemented best practices throughout the company.

Mrs Turner also serves as the compliance officer and anti-money laundering reporting officer (MLRO)for both the law firm and its corporate services entity.

She has reformed the compliance procedures for MB&H Corporate Services, and has introduced enhanced due diligence protocols designed to protect the quality and integrity of the company’s business activities.

Over the past year, Mrs Turner has led the company through its transition from a company incorporation/management business to a diversified, all-purposes financial services provider.

Mrs Turner obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, in 1991. In 1995 she obtained a dual honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Criminology from the University of Keele, England.

In 1996, she was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales as a member of the Honourable Society of Inner Temple, and was admitted to the Bahamas Bar in 1997.