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by pltm
(PLTM) - Students of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) took on members of the private sector and won a hotly contested debate on the future of the Territory's financial services industry.
The debate which took place on Tuesday saw participants deliberate whether financial services is a sustainable sector for the future development and prosperity of the BVI economy. The debate drew intelligent discussion from both sides, but ultimately the students won the day as decided by an esteemed panel of judges.
The industry team comprised Justin Davis, Counsel at Carey Olsen’s; Jermaine Case, Associate at Harneys; and Eric van Aalst, Managing Director at Citco BVI Limited. The college team comprised Jefferina Morrison, Jahmeel Jones and Jordan Dawson. Morrison and Dawson are currently pursuing an Associate in Science Degree in General Science while Jones is studying for an Associate in Arts Degree in Humanities. Elise Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of BVI Finance, stated that the 'energetic debate on the future of the BVI’s financial services industry not only demonstrated how far we’ve come as a jurisdiction over the last few decades, but also highlighted just how bright our future is with students like Jefferina, Jahmeel and Jordan as the faces of the next generation'. The debate was judged by Liz Carolina Barahona, Deputy Manager of Icaza Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman (BVI) Trust Limited; Susan V. Demers, Owner of Price Demers & Co., and PFD Corporate Services (BVI) Limited; and Mohamad Tarabay, a science teacher and debate coach at the Elmore Stoutt High School and a Spanish language adjunct lecturer at HLSCC.
The debate was moderated by Stacyann Shaw Goodridge, Director of Compliance for TMF and timed by Heather Prentice, Administrative Relations Office Manager of Sucre & Sucre Trust Limited.
The Best Speaker awards were awarded to Morrison of the HLSCC Debate team and Case of the Industry team.
The debate forms part of the Territory's celebration of 35 years of innovation in the financial services industry.
A number of other events celebrating the last 35 years of innovation in the financial services industry have also taken place this week, including a 5k walk/run on Saturday morning. Eight-six persons participated in Run/Walk, which was won by Wantong Dong of Baker Tilly (first female) and Lenon and Reuben Stoby (first males). Trident had the largest team, and Deloitte and Appleby were the best dressed corporate, while Kay Reddy was the best dressed individual.
A fun-packed Jeopardy on Monday night was hosted by Gareth Thomas at the BVI International Arbitration Centre, which was won by Claudia Hodge of Hunte & Co.
The Financial Services Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony takes place today and celebrates the many individual and corporate achievements made over the last 35 years. This will be followed by a career fair on Friday at Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.
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