A Fresh Perspective
Updated: Jan 12, 2022
We are pleased to announce that the FSDA Executive Board Members have appointed Marie Francis as the Chief Executive Officer. Marie’s appointment brings a fresh new and exciting energy to the small team.
She will be driving the recently released Strategic Plan 2020 – The Next Five Years, the following is what she has to say about the Cook Islands Financial Services Industry and her vision of our future direction.
What it is that you enjoy about working in the Financial Services Industry?
I have lived most of my life in New Zealand and in the Cook Islands; both places are relatively small and geographically isolated. When you work in the financial services industry it is an international industry and it connects us to people and organizations all around the word. I think that is exciting. It pushes us as a jurisdiction to ensure that we keep up with international standards and allows us to participate in conversations at a regional and international level with other countries that have significantly larger economies but face similar issues to us. It is both challenging and exciting.
What is it that you bring to the industry?
My main areas of professional development are in mediation and international trust and corporate services. Mediating and working in conflict resolution ensures that you always try to maintain your objectivity with what you are doing and appreciate the need to work well with different people. This role presents me with an opportunity to work with different stakeholders and government ministries on development matters and on promoting the industry at an international level.
Where do you see the industry in 5 years’ time?
Our previous CEO recently launched a strategic plan for the next 5 years (Click here) which sets out clear objectives for the growth and development of the Cook Islands Financial Services Industry. With the closure of the borders due to Covid-19 all jurisdictions are having to be creative and consider different ways to promote and provide services. We have an exciting opportunity to highlight the distinguishing features of Cook Islands financial services which is our experience, our expertise and our integrity. In five years’ time we hope to still have a competitive industry with innovative products and services.
