BIAS
Bermuda Investment Advisory Services Limited reported that all three of the company’s asset allocation funds managed under the BIAS Global Portfolios SPC banner were awarded a 4-star ranking for the five years ending 31 March, 2012 by mutual fund rating agency Morningstar Inc.
The BIAS Global Porfolios’ funds are Cayman registered and stock exchange listed funds launched in December 2009. Morningstar first ranked the BIAS Global Portfolios funds in 2010 after three years of performance and issued a 4-star ranking at that time. Less than one third of all funds in their respective categories are ranked 4-star or higher by Morningstar.
The Morningstar rating system is a quantitative measure based upon past returns and volatility. Specifically, it measures total long term performance, net of all fees, adjusted for risk, giving high risk funds a lower rating. The risk-adjusted measure is then graded on a curve within each fund category.
While the high ranking indicates that BIAS funds outperformed many of their peers globally, the real differentiating factor is the company’s success in protecting investor capital during market setbacks, said BIAS CEO and Chief Investment Officer Robert Pires.
“What is most gratifying about the performance of the BIAS Global Portfolios funds is how consistent our rankings are. We attribute this to a very disciplined top down investment process which places a high emphasis on preserving client capital,” he said. “We don’t mind falling down the performance charts if we think over the longer term the client’s investment is thought to be safer.”
Pires gave the example of the BIAS Global Equities fund which in the most recent 5 year performance data was ranked in the top 10 per cent of all peer group global equities funds showing the lowest overall risk. BIAS Global Portfolios SPC’s funds although registered in the Cayman Islands are managed out of the Bermuda office where four of the five portfolio managers are Chartered Financial Analysts.
CUC
The board of directors of Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd declared a dividend of US$0.165 per Class A ordinary share, or an annualised dividend of US$0.66 per share. The dividend will be payable 15 June, 2012 to shareholders of record on 4 June, 2012.
LIME
LIME honoured 45 employees at an all colleague meeting in recognition of their long service. Tony Ritch, general manager of LIME Cayman Islands, presented the employees with awards. Eight employees were recognised for thirty years service.
“To be a great business you need great people and I’m delighted to be able to recognise these great people today for their loyalty and longevity with LIME,” Mr Ritch said. “When asked why would you stay so long with one employer, my answer is why wouldn’t you? We work in the fast paced technology industry, you never have the opportunity to get bored, things move fast and change quickly and there is always something new coming along. I’m proud to be LIME and I know each and every one of those recognised today is too.”
Suzan Masceranus, one of the 30 year long service recipients said: “I still love my job at LIME after thirty years; there are always new challenges and opportunities. I couldn’t see myself ever working for anyone else; it’s the whole feeling of belonging and being part of an extended family. LIME was prepared to educate me and they continue to invest in mine and my family’s future.
Butterfield Fulcrum
Modern Language Institute & Tutoring Services Ltd congratulated Butterfield Fulcrum employees Alan Kennedy, Ibrar Mudassir, Dahlia Whorms, Derek Bruce, Tracey Tajudeen and Juana Robinson on successfully completing Business Spanish Level 1 on 24 April, 2012.
The language training course was specifically tailored to meet the needs of the fund services provider. The customised course incorporated elements such as specialised field-specific terminology, using the telephone, opening a call, receiving and taking messages, structuring a call, transferring information, handling communication difficulties, calling back, making appointments, making complaints and closing a call. Students also learnt how to conduct business presentations in Spanish, how to speak using visual aids, as well as how to close a presentation and handle questions.
Additional learning elements included how to open negotiations, creating the right climate, agreeing on an agenda, opening statements, how to state their position, clarifying their positions and responding to proposals. Equally important, students learnt how to socialise with business associates, holding and sustaining personal and casual conversations. Throughout the course students were given cultural tips to help them understand their Spanish and Latin American clients.
SAXON MG
SaxonMG presented a cheque for $1000 to a team of CrossFit athletes from CrossFit Cayman that represented the Cayman Islands at the Reebok CrossFit Games in Cali, Colombia.
Team CrossFit Cayman has won the Latin American title for the past two years at the CrossFit regional event and their participation this year is being made possible by SaxonMG’s contribution.
The money will be used to aid the team’s trip expenses. CrossFit combines the use of traditional weighted objects into workouts along with a series of core movements that combine to give maximum results. Different from the fitness routine endured in the Cayman Islands, team Cayman will have to be prepared for a number of mystery events in Colombia as the details of each event they will compete in is kept secret until moments before the event begins. Manager for SaxonMG, Craig Scott said that he was happy to assist the team in this way. “It’s a small contribution, but it will do much good for the team and for the country, as Cayman will be represented internationally, defend their past wins and I am certain they will do well at the event again,” he said.
Matthew Barnett, owner and co-founder of CrossFit Cayman thanked SaxonMG for the generous contribution.
“Our members have dedicated themselves to the programme because we believe in them and they believe in themselves. It’s very pleasing to see that a local company like SaxonMG believes in us too, to assist in this way.”
Stepping Stones
SteppingStones Recruitment, who recently captured a Cayman Islands Society of Human Resource Professionals (CISHRP) 2012 Top Employer Award, hosted a dynamic energiser session and cocktail reception at the CISHRP’s 9th Annual Conference held at the Ritz Carlton on Thursday, 17 May, 2012.
Training and development professional Emma Woodhouse kicked off the Conference’s afternoon agenda with an icebreaker activity meant to provide an active and engaging forum for conference participants to get acquainted, connect with one another, and to compliment the address by the key note speaker which was to follow.
“Energisers are an excellent way to encourage involvement and interaction between workshop attendees to re-focus and heighten the learning experience in these types of conferences and training environments,” Woodhouse said. “I often present a series of fun-filled challenges and initiatives to promote communication and knowledge sharing and to have a few laughs – it’s important to evoke a little laughter especially among a group who aren’t familiar with one another. In this instance, we had everyone circulate the room to find someone they hadn’t met before and, in a series of brief conversations, each less than two minutes long, express their HR goals and successes.”
The annual conference presented strategies and best practices relating to effective HR leadership and sustainability, career development, harmony and productivity in the workplace.
More than 70 guests closed the day with evening cocktails, also hosted by SteppingStones.
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