EDISON SUMNER RESIGNS FROM THE CHAMBER

Last week the Securities Commission of The Bahamas issued is a decision with regard to two cases. One involved the case of Owen Bethel of Montaque Capital Partners and the other that of Edison Sumner who up until Friday 14 September was the Executive Director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce.  In Mr. Bethel’s case, he was banned from securities trading in The Bahamas for life for using monies in the securities company he ran to benefit himself.  Mr. Sumner was banned for ten years his role as the President of a company that was a related party to Montaque Capital Partners.  Mr. Sumner’s offending actions took place before he became Executive Director of the Chamber. At first, it appeared that the Chamber was standing by Mr. Sumner but later in the week the resignation letter began to surface one line.  It is a matter of regret that this has happened to Mr. Sumner.  He proved to be an able spokesman for the Business of the Chamber and executed his job with equanimity.  Here is his letter:

September 14, 2018

Board of Directors

Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation

Nassau, Bahamas

Attention: Mike Maura, Jr. – Chairman

Re: Resignation as Chief Executive Officer I hereby tender my resignation as Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation with immediate effect.

Over the past five and a half years, I have worked selflessly and tirelessly to represent the interest of, and advocate on behalf of the BCCEC and its membership and the private sector at large, at the highest level of professionalism and efficiency, both nationally as well as regionally and internationally. We have had significant achievements and seen tremendous growth and development over the years and believe I am leaving the BCCEC in a much better state than when I assumed the role of CEO over five years ago.

Unfortunately, recent reports of a long-standing legacy issue have made it challenging for me to continue in my role as the CEO of this great organization. The BCCEC is too important an organization, and has to great a responsibility to be distracted or compromised by these matters. My decision to resign is in the best interest of the BCCEC as well as in the best interest of me and my family at this time.

Being the CEO of the BCCEC has been the job of my life that I have enjoyed immensely and I shall miss it, but life goes on. I wish to thank the Board of Directors, Staff and Membership for giving me the opportunity to work with you and to represent you over these years and I wish the BCCEC nothing but great success and continued growth and development.

I will continue to make myself available to the BCCEC if and when called upon to do so.

God Bless,

Edison L. Sumner

Director and CEO