The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The EY accounting firm has appointed its former Bahamas country managing partner to become its regional head.

The company's Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands region, in a statement, confirmed that Michele Thompson has been named as its regional managing partner with effect from Saturday, July 1. A former EY Bahamas country managing partner and regional assurance leader, she succeeds Dan Scott on his June 30, 2023, retirement as regional managing partner.

Ms Thompson, who joined EY in 1987, became the first regional female country managing partner of any of the 'big four' accounting firms when she was appointed in 2012. She is now the first female regional managing partner, who is the highest-ranking EY executive in the region.

Ms Thompson has over 30 years of audit experience in the financial services industry, and has worked with numerous investment vehicles, hedge funds, private equity funds, banks and governments. She has been regional assurance leader since 2010.

Tiffany Norris-Pilcher, EY Bahamas partner and regional emerging manager platform Leader, has replaced Ms Thompson as EY Bahamas country managing partner with effect from July 1. Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, and Senator Michael B. Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, attended an event to recognise these appointments.

Mr Scott said: “I’m delighted to be handing over the reins to Michele, a trailblazer and a role model to many, who has earned her success through hard work, industry knowledge, understanding her client needs and constant focus on doing the right thing for the right reasons. She has proven herself to be an outstanding leader.”

EY Bahamas last year moved its headquarters into new offices at the Caves Corporate Centre in western New Providence, and also opened a second office in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Ms Thompson said: “It’s an incredible privilege for me to succeed Dan as regional managing partner. I’m proud of EY’s unique culture and our principle of putting people first — our clients, our colleagues, our communities and the jurisdictions within which we operate.”

Having raised her two sons as a single mother from early in her EY career, Ms Thompson is a strong advocate of EY’s commitment to creating a supportive workplace where its staff can grow professionally and personally.

After she entered the male-dominated world of accounting in 1987, one of her mentors was Maria Ferere, who in 1992 became the first woman to achieve the status of 'partner' at a Bahamian accountancy firm. Mentorship continues to play a key role in career development at EY.

Ms Thompson said: “Maria coached, supported and encouraged me over many years, and I will be eternally grateful to her. Philip Galanis, Dan Scott and Gil Tucker, the former managing partner of EY Bermuda, also gave me valuable guidance. Mentorship is a pathway to a strong and inclusive culture, and I will strive to ensure that others enjoy the same level of support that I have enjoyed at EY.

“Our connection with the Bahamian community is also deeply important to me. In 2019, after Hurricane Dorian, EY responded rapidly and pledged a $200,000 donation for relief efforts, enabling the construction of a new disaster shelter/community center in Abaco.

"We support many local charities and were one of the silver sponsors of the 50th CARIFTA Games, held in The Bahamas this year. In our community outreach, we consistently illustrate that EY is more than a business: It is a team of compassionate people who care for others, in good times and in challenging ones," Ms Thompson added.

“I want to thank Dan for his tremendous contribution to the firm over four decades, and his transformational leadership during a period of sustained growth. With the support of my talented EY colleagues across the region, I look forward to building on Dan’s track record of success and helping our clients to harness the potential of these times of never-before-imagined technological development.”

Ms Norris-Pilcher has 25 years’ experience with EY, and works with wealth and asset management clients. She focuses on providing assurance services to hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds, as well as banks and insurance companies. She has also raised two children during her EY career.

“It’s an honour to be appointed EY Bahamas country managing partner, and I look forward to working alongside Michele to ensure that our business continues to provide world class professional services, while building strong bridges with our community," Ms Norris-Pilcher said.

“EY is invested in the future of The Bahamas and is committed to hiring Bahamians. We understand the importance of education and, through the annual Jamaine McFall Scholarship, we provide students who have excelled academically with the opportunity to gain higher education and build careers in the professional services industry.

“Michele is truly a role model to all young women on what it means to be steadfast in achieving your goals. She has also shown us how to be a working mom who knows how to achieve that balance with poise and grace, a true inspiration to so many. I have full confidence that Michele will continue to lead EY teams to find new and better answers to the issues facing organisations and governments.”

CAPTION

L to R: Dan Scott, former EY regional managing partner; Tiffany Norris-Pilcher, EY Bahamas country managing partner; Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister; Michele Thompson, EY regional managing partner