The Hon. L. Ryan Pinder, M.P., Minister of Financial Services, has selected Mrs. Cherise Cox-Nottage as the recipient for the 2012 “Minister’s Award”. The award for outstanding contribution to financial services development was presented at the annual [Industry Excellence Awards Banquet](https://bfsb-bahamas.com/news.php?cmd=view&id=3144&pre=y) last Saturday, when the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) recognised outstanding individuals within the sector.
In responding to the presentation, Mrs. Cox-Nottage paid tribute to those that had motivated and supported her in her journey within the financial services sector: *“My thanks go to my family, my BACO family, all Past Presidents of BACO and its membership for all of their support over the years and also to my UBS family. Thanks also to the trailblazers in the industry – Wendy Warren, Aliya Allen and Donna Nguyen-Comito – for making things happen and bringing us together in the important work that we all do.”*
Mrs. Cox-Nottage also acknowledged Minister Pinder, saying that particular thanks had to go to him for *“recognising the efforts of so many individuals in the industry, for personally fully engaging with industry and most especially for his sterling efforts in contending for the business internationally.”* She added, *“None of us makes it alone. It really does take a village, and so I happily accept this award on behalf of all of those who have contributed to my development and on behalf of those brilliant and hardworking people in the industry.”* Further noting that *“to whom much has been given much is required”*, the Recipient said she is encouraged *“to press on and do more”.*
Mrs. Cox-Nottage presently is the Head of the Legal Department for UBS (Bahamas) Ltd. In addition to legal responsibilities for the bank, this role encompasses oversight of the 2 largest trust companies of the UBS group, namely UBS Trustees (Bahamas) Ltd. and UBS Trustees (Cayman) Ltd. Prior to joining UBS, Mrs. Cox-Nottage held the position of Head of Legal and Compliance for a rival Swiss bank for 3 years. She has practiced as an Attorney in the UK.
She has served on 2 occasions as President of The Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers (BACO). During her tenure, BACO established the Annual Northern Bahamas Compliance Conference, and also saw the formation of the CRCA (Caribbean Regional Compliance Association) with BACO as the Founding Member Association. Other programmes introduced included holding the 1st CRCA Conference in Nassau, a weekly Compliance Professionals column in The Nassau Guardian, an annual speech competition and a scholarship.
This outstanding industry professional is a graduate of the London School of Economics Political Science (LSE) London University where she obtained an LLM ( Master of Laws) degree in subject grouping Commercial and Corporate Law. She also obtained her undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Kent at Canterbury (UKC) England. Professional Qualifications include: Member of the Bars of England and Wales and The Bahamas; TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner; Certified CAMS (Certified AML specialist by ACAMS USA); Int. Dip (Comp), International Diploma in Compliance (with distinction), and the Int. Dip (AML) International Diploma in Anti-money laundering (with distinction) from the ICA (International Compliance Association) U.K. In 2006 Cherise was elevated to the level of Fellow of the ICA.
Mrs. Cox-Nottage also is a member of STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners), the SII (Securities Investment Institute, UK)., and the CII (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) U.K.
She has published internationally in such publications as “The Cayman Review”, and “ACAMS TODAY” and is a Regular contributor to BACO’s publications on AML and Compliance matters for the jurisdiction and region. She participates in Web-cast conferences and as a featured speaker at international conferences, including most recently the International Bar Association’s conference in Dubai.