Press Release
The Bahamas’ private wealth and fiduciary community gathers today for the STEP Bahamas Conference 2026, bringing together leading professionals from the legal, trust, banking, and advisory sectors to discuss emerging developments in global wealth management and estate planning.
Hosted by the Bahamas branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the conference highlights the jurisdiction’s continued leadership as an international financial centre and a hub for cross-border trust and fiduciary expertise.
This year’s conference, held at SLS Baha Mar in Cable Beach, brings together industry professionals from across the jurisdiction and the wider private wealth community for two days of discussions, presentations, and recognition of outstanding contributions to the sector.
The conference opened with remarks from Theo Burrows, STEP Bahamas Conference Chair and Assistant General Counsel in International Trust Services at J.P. Morgan Trust Company (Bahamas) Limited. Welcome remarks were then delivered by veteran industry leader C. Dianne Bingham, a multiple award-winning practitioner in the financial services industry, recipient of The Bahamas Financial Services Professional of the Year Award and STEP’s prestigious Founders Award, with more than 30 years’ experience.
A central highlight of this year’s program is the Pearl Honourees’ Presentation, recognising individuals whose contributions have helped shape the growth and reputation of The Bahamas’ financial services sector.
This year’s honourees are C. Dianne Bingham, Anita Bain, Heather L. Thompson, Dr. Earl Cash, and John Lawrence. Considered among the five most influential contributors to The Bahamas’ financial services sector over the past 30 years, the Pearl Honourees have shaped the jurisdiction’s reputation as a sophisticated international wealth planning centre. Through decades of leadership across law firms, trust companies, regulatory initiatives, and global industry forums, they have driven innovation in fiduciary services, strengthened governance standards, and supported the development of structures that serve complex cross-border families and institutions.
Another highlight of the conference is the presentation of the John Lawrence Trailblazer Award, which recognises exceptional leadership and innovation within the global trust and wealth management profession.
John Lawrence, Chairman of the Windermere Group, is regarded as a pioneering figure in the development of fiduciary and private client services in The Bahamas. Through decades of leadership within the industry, he has played a key role in strengthening the jurisdiction’s reputation for sophisticated wealth planning and trust administration.
As said by John, “The strength of The Bahamas as an international financial center lies in the expertise of its professionals and the collaboration within the industry to support families across generations.”
This year’s award is presented to Katie Booth, Group Head of Private Office at Oak Group, who leads the strategic development of the firm’s global private office services focused on governance, succession planning, and generational stewardship of family wealth.
Katie has extensive experience advising ultra-high-net-worth families on complex fiduciary structures and family governance. Her career includes leadership roles across the international private wealth sector, including positions at Kingsley Napley, Graham Thompson, MeesPierson, NM Rothschild, and Butterfield Bank. She also played a pivotal role in the establishment of The Bahamas branch of STEP and subsequently served on the Global STEP Council.
Upon receiving the award, Katie commented, “I am touched and honoured by this recognition. I remember vividly Geoffrey Shindler walking into my office at MeesPierson in the Spring of 1996 and asking me if it would be feasible to establish a branch of STEP in The Bahamas and whether there was a need for the educational platform it offered to trust and estate practitioners. Thirty years on, we remain an active, informative, professional body that provides vital education, networking and visibility to our valued members domestically and internationally.”
The conference program also features discussions on economic trends shaping the financial services industry.
Senator the Honourable Michael Halkitis, Minister of Economic Affairs, participated in a fireside discussion on the Economic Outlook, offering perspectives on the continued importance of the financial services sector to The Bahamas’ economic development.
Later in the program, Senator the Honourable Ryan Pinder KC, Attorney General of The Bahamas, joined discussions on the Legal and Regulatory Outlook, addressing legislative and regulatory developments affecting the jurisdiction’s financial services sector.
Additional sessions throughout the programme explore topics ranging from divorce and family wealth disputes to international tax planning, litigation strategy, and recent global case developments affecting trust and estate structures.
The conference also hosted the STEP/EDLS Moot Competition, providing emerging legal professionals with the opportunity to present arguments before a distinguished judicial panel including Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder and Madam Justice Cheryl Bazard KC.
The event concludes with an Awards and Recognition Ceremony celebrating industry contributions and the ongoing commitment of professionals dedicated to advancing The Bahamas’ financial services sector.
As international families increasingly seek stable jurisdictions with deep fiduciary expertise, the STEP Bahamas Conference continues to serve as an important platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among the global private wealth community.
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