A partner in professional services firm EY has joined the board of the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA).

Jessel Mendes, who has worked for EY in Bermuda for 20 years, will act as liaison between the BDA and the asset management sector on the Island.

Mr Mendes said: “The talent we have here in Bermuda is tremendous and it is impressive how globally connected we all are.

“We need to leverage those relationships to bring more investment fund business to Bermuda.”

Mr Mendes led Bermuda’s asset management task force and is a member of the BDA’s asset management working group.

He said: “Change has started. We are getting global attention and our success thus far is encouraging.

“There are tremendous opportunities to capitalise on and, in my opinion, with aggressive pursuits and cohesive teaming across sectors we can accelerate the pace of change.

“I look forward to working with the BDA and industry partners across Team Bermuda and building on the good work done to date.”

Caroline Foulger, chairwoman of the BDA board, said: “Over the last two years, as we at BDA have refined our strategy to focus on areas with most short- and midterm potential for on-Island jobs, it has become apparent there is good opportunity in this space.”