Kevin Richards Joins Board Of Shipping Group
BDA’s Kevin Richards, Business Development Manager for International Commerce, has been named to the Board of the Bermuda International Shipping Association [BISA].
“I’m delighted to join the Board of BISA, which is an important part of Bermuda’s shipping ecosystem,” said Richards. “Historically, BISA has been a strong voice in Bermuda’s shipping industry and the organisation is dedicated to attracting more young Bermudians to a variety of careers. I look forward to working with BISA members to help grow this important sector.”
BISA, established in 1995 and re-launched in 2013, brings together maritime-related shipping interests on the island to promote Bermuda as a global shipping jurisdiction and provide support for local students planning to enter the field.
BISA Board members, from left: Kevin Richards, Felicia Govender, James Watlington, Angelique Burgess and Clive Langley
“It’s a pleasure to have Kevin join our Board of Directors and we know he’ll make a valuable contribution,” said BISA Deputy Chair Angelique Burgess. “Kevin has been involved with many shipping industry initiatives over the last two years to attract more business to the island and I’m confident he will be committed to assisting BISA achieve its goals and objectives.”
At the BDA, Richards has worked closely with industry stakeholders to help reinvigorate the island’s shipping sector and encourage new business to Bermuda—including superyachts around this year’s America’s Cup events.
He leads a BDA shipping industry focus group whose members comprise related sectors, from insurance, ship-management and yacht marinas to the world-class ship registry administered by the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority [BSMA], which became an autonomous non-governmental unit last year.
“With the recent maritime renaissance in Bermuda, BISA’s role has become increasingly important” said Richards. “The organisation will play a central part in determining the extent of growth we will see going forward.”
One of BISA’s key focus areas is education and scholarship projects. The group supports students in the maritime field through mentor programmes such as the Bermuda Sloop Foundation and the Bermuda Sea Cadets Corps, and awards scholarships to those pursuing shipping-related careers.
An example is this summer’s voyages for students being offered aboard Spirit of Bermuda. Three opportunities for teenagers include: the Girl’s Coastal Skiller Voyage [July 10–14] for students ages 14-plus; a co-ed Overseas Voyage with tallships for students 16-plus [July 20–August 20]; and a Boys’ Coastal Skiller Voyage [August 28–September 1] for students 14-plus. For more information, contact education.manager@bermudasloop.org.
BISA is also partnering with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation to offer a $1,500 scholarship to a Bermudian middle-schoolers [ages 11–14] to attend Spirit of Bermuda courses. Applications are now being accepted for the Charlotte Watlington Student Voyage Scholarship, which must be submitted by Friday, June 30. Contact stephen.rossiter.bda@gmail.com for more information.
“There are opportunities for Bermudians in the maritime sector,” noted Richards. “Our island has a rich maritime history, so it’s important to have career opportunities for ship captains and engineers, marine pilots, ship managers, accountants and insurance professionals.
“By building a pipeline of talent, Bermuda will be able to provide the human capital necessary to make growth in this sector sustainable and provide the diversification our economy needs to thrive.”
