The Tribune

The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) has selected Ian D. Fair as the recipient of its 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises outstanding and sustained performance within the industry.

Responding to the announcement, Mr Fair said: “I deem it a singular honour to be given a Lifetime Achievement Award by BFSB for my contribution to the financial services industry over the past 44 years.”

Mr Fair has been involved in business, and particularly the financial services industry, in the Bahamas since 1969. He currently serves as chairman of Bahamas First Holdings, the largest general insurer in the country; chairman of Butterfield Trust (Bahamas); and chairman of the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX).

Mr Fair was the Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB) founding chairman in 1998, serving for two consecutive terms until 2002.

He added: “There have been many highlights in my career, but ranking right at the top was the formation of BFSB. It gives me enormous satisfaction is to see how it has grown and changed over the years, and continues to be a focal point for the continued development and promotion of our industry.”

Mr Fair was previously chairman of MeesPierson Bahamas, which he co-founded, from 1987 to 2003, He was managing director of Deltec Panamerica Trust Company from 1980-1987, and worked with the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (Bahamas) from 1969-1980 and 2003-2006.

He also served as chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Port Group Ltd from March 2012 to September 2013, and chairman of the Bahamas Maritime Authority from 2008-2012.

Mr Fair said: “The financial services industry, worldwide, is going through major change right now, but this is not the first time and is unlikely to be the last. We simply have to accept change, embrace it and chart our way for future success. I believe that there is still much potential. It is now up to the next generation to take over, with guidance the previous generation might be asked to provide.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the 14th Annual Financial Services Excellence Awards Gala Dinner on November 14, when the BFSB also will recognise the Executive of the Year, Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Achiever of the Year, and Student of the Year.

Also recognised will be recipients of the Financial Services Development & Promotion Award and the Minister’s Award, the latter selected by the Ryan Pinder, minister of financial services.