BFSB is pleased to present a **Financial Services Industry Lifetime Achievement Award** in recognition of sustained, outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Bahamian financial services industry. The award will be presented during the upcoming 7th Annual Financial Services Excellence Awards Banquet.
The first recipient of the award has been announced: **T. Baswell Donaldson, C.B.E.**
Wendy, C. Warren, BFSB’s CEO & Executive Director, says BFSB is pleased to salute an industry pioneer whose decades-long career has influenced every aspect of financial services in The Bahamas.
Born in 1934, Mr. Donaldson was educated in The Bahamas and United States. Among his notable titles, he served as the first Governor of The Central Bank of The Bahamas. He also held the position of Governor at The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Caribbean Development Bank.
After retiring from the public service in 1980, Mr. Donaldson was named Chairman of The Bank of Montreal (Bahamas and Caribbean) Ltd, now Bank of The Bahamas International. He also served on several boards of major companies including Morgan Guaranty Trust (Bahamas) Ltd. and the Bahamas International Trust Company.
In 1992, Mr. Donaldson was appointed Bahamian Ambassador to the United States and served in Washington, D.C. for three years. He returned to New Providence and was the founding Chairman of the Securities Commission of The Bahamas until 2002.
Last Year, Mr. Donaldson was recognized as an Honorary Fellow of the Caribbean Association of Banking and Finance Institutes – the first Bahamian in history to receive the regional honour.
Mr. Donaldson currently serves on the Boards of a number of private bodies and is Chairman of Commonwealth Bank. During his tenure as Commonwealth Bank Chairman, he has helped steer the dramatic growth of the institution from $350 million in assets to a financial powerhouse with assets surpassing $1 billion.
The Awards Banquet is scheduled for October 27, at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island. BFSB currently is taking reservations for the gala event.