The Securities Commission of The Bahamas has announced the appointment of Ms. Christina Rosanna Rolle as Executive Director, and Mr. Stephen Coakley Wells as Deputy Executive Director.
Commission Chairman Mrs. Tonya Bastian Galanis, says *“After an extensive recruitment process, we are pleased to announce the selection of such experienced and talented persons who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Commission. Together, Ms. Rolle and Mr. Wells have over 40 years of merited experience in the financial services industry, having worked in both local and international markets. In addition to their many notable academic and professional accomplishments, they bring a wealth of professional experience and broad perspectives which will serve the Commission well in pursuit of its strategic goals. On behalf of the Members of the Commission, I wish them a successful tenure.”*
Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Rolle said, *”Now in its 20th year of existence, the Securities Commission of The Bahamas has played a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the industry and thus the development of financial services in The Bahamas. I am honoured to accept the leadership role of the Commission, especially now as there are many challenges that continue to threaten financial markets and financial services generally, both on a global and local level. I am looking forward to active engagement with local industry players and the members and staff of the Commission in the execution of its mandate.”*
Mrs. Bastian Galanis also expressed thanks to the outgoing Executive Director, Mr. Hillary H. Deveaux, for his committed service to the Commission during his term, and in particular for his role in the recruitment of the new executive team. Mr. Deveaux returned to the Commission to serve as Executive Director in September 2013, in an interim capacity.
##Christina Rolle##
Ms. Rolle has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has acted as Director and Deputy CEO for a prominent international private bank and held various senior managerial positions with local and other international institutions including Head of Trust and Fiduciary, Head of Risk, Compliance and Corporate Governance and Manager of Banking Services. She is highly skilled in quantitative and statistical analysis, marketing, operations and business strategy.
Ms. Rolle was a member of the FATCA advisory group for the Government of The Bahamas and has served on the Board of Directors of The Bahamas Financial Services Board (2009 – 2012) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Bahamas Branch (2003 – 2005). She holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. She has completed Harvard Business School’s Professional Leadership Development programme and Columbia University’s Quantitative Studies for Finance programme.
##Stephen Coakley Wells##
Mr. Wells has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry with expertise in investments and portfolio management, with a special focus on Brazil. Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Wells served as Managing Director at The Bahamas branch of a Latin American investment management firm.
He has worked in top tier financial institutions in the United States and Europe managing high and ultra-high net worth clients in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Mr. Wells’ academic qualifications complement executive level positions in Private Wealth Management, global securities markets and trade execution. He earned the LLB and a Master’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, with a concentration in Economic Law. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Financial Services Regulation and Economic Law.