By Gerard Govinden
Seychelles has lost one of its brightest minds in the offshore sector, Dr Steve Fanny, who passed away on March, 13th. He was 50 years old.
According to a police communique, Dr. Fanny’s body was found where he was staying in Pointe Au Sel after they had been alerted at around 3.30 pm. The police added that he died from a presumed hanging and they have already opened an investigation and an autopsy will be performed to establish the cause of his death.
Dr. Fanny was the chief executive of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), a post he held previously when FSA was referred to as Seychelles International Business Authority (Siba).
An experienced and accomplished professional, Dr. Fanny had prior to his appointment as FSA chief executive on December 1, 2017, occupied the post of chairman of the FSA board of directors.
He also headed the internal audit division in the Central Bank of Seychelles, where he worked for three years.
He held a number of different professional qualifications in Accounting and Finance and a Masters in Audit Management, and Consultancy specializing in Forensic Accounting, and a Doctorate in Islamic Finance with the Swiss Management Centre University.
During his career, the 50-year-old had been the principal secretary of trade in the Ministry of Finance, and special advisor in the Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship Development, and Business Innovation. He also sat on various boards including the Central Bank of Seychelles, Indian Ocean Tuna Ltd, the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC), Nouvobanq, Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec), and Seychelles Investment Board (SIB).
He was also a part-time lecturer for the London School of Economics (LSE) and Manchester University Bachelor’s degree Twinning Programme, the National University of Ireland’s Master in Strategic Management and Leadership, the Seychelles Institute of Management, and the Seychelles Polytechnic, where he taught and hosted business taxation, accounting, and finance-related subjects.
In 2013, he was appointed as a member of the African Union board of external auditors for a two-year term.
President Wavel Ramkalawan has on behalf of the government expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Fanny upon hearing of his sudden passing.
“It is with immense sadness and shock that we have learned of the death of Dr. Steve Fanny. Dr. Fanny has made invaluable contributions in his professional career through the various posts he held and his passing is a great loss for the country. He will be remembered for his commitment and many accomplishments,” said President Ramkalawan.
As for Finance, Economic Planning, and Trade Minister Naadir Hassan, he has expressed his shock at the news and has conveyed his personal condolences and that of the ministry to the family of Dr. Fanny and staff members of FSA.
He described Dr. Fanny as a “fervent ally and advocate of the Seychelles Financial Services sector”, adding that he was “passionate about the industry, and how to spearhead its development”.
“Dr. Fanny was a highly regarded professional in the field of the financial offshore sector, and his loss will weigh heavily on the industry, especially at a time when Seychelles is moving to modernize the industry so it can be on par with the international norms,” said Minister Hassan.
Secretary of state, Patrick Payet, the chairperson of the board of FSA, who has worked with Dr. Fanny very closely, also expressed his sadness and shock about the loss.
“Dr. Fanny was an experienced and accomplished professional who contributed immensely to the development of the financial industry. He will be deeply missed,” he said.
