The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas First has formed a new unit that will provide business intelligence and analytics to its operations in both this nation and the Cayman Islands.

The BISX-listed insurer, in a statement, said the group analytics unit will be headed by Anquin C. Cooper and have responsibility for “mining market-differentiating insights” that give it an advantage over rival property and casualty underwriters.

The move is also designed to drive data-led decision-making across Bahamas First’s group, with such insights adding value and leading business change. The unit’s creation is expected to lead improvements in claims handling, pricing and fraud detection.

“Our future growth lies in our ability to leverage our access to data into decisions that add value to our company,” said Patrick Ward, Bahamas First’s group president and chief executive. “An enhanced focus on analytics will give us the ability to fill key data gaps that many insurers struggle with.

“We are confident that Anquin’s extensive analytics skills, actuarial background, strategic thinking and business acumen will allow us to build a unit capable of steering our data analytics strategy to create solutions that enhance the client experience. Anquin is a thoughtful leader who believes in the power of collaboration, diversity and inclusion in breaking the mold and driving business growth.”

Mr Cooper added: “Data is an important company asset, and I am passionate about using data to build a framework for decision-making. I strongly believe that data can help insurance companies build stronger relationships with their customers, and I look forward to my enhanced role within the group to further build on its market-leading solutions.”

He joined Bahamas First in 2017 after several years in Chicago, Illinois, with a major US property and casualty insurer. Since joining Bahamas First, he has led several initiatives, including drafting and executing the group’s data migration, data and quality control, and analytics strategies.

A graduate of Government High School, Mr Cooper holds both a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and statistics from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada, and a master of science degree in the same discipline from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

He is a member of the International Association of Black Actuaries (IABA) and the Caribbean Actuarial Association (CAA). Mr Cooper is pursuing the Casualty Actuarial Society Associateship (ACAS) credential.