The view from Brenda Morin FCCA

When I was 14 I was sent to an American boarding school in southern India. It was a big step out of my comfort zone and it shaped the person I have become. Faced with such an unfamiliar environment, I quickly developed resilience and determination. This early experience taught me to thrive when times are difficult, driving my ability to succeed in high-pressure situations.

I have enjoyed accounting since high school. After completing my master’s degree in the UK, I worked as an accountant in a manufacturing company where a Ghanaian colleague encouraged me to pursue the ACCA qualification. He said it would change my life, which it did.

For some years I worked as an internal auditor with international companies, travelling extensively. Having risen to internal audit manager at a Constance Group hotel in Seychelles, I decided it was time for a change and took the bold step of founding my own accounting practice, BGM Accountants, now nearing its 10th anniversary.

During my firm’s early years I took on a number of public-sector positions which greatly enhanced my leadership skills. Prominent among these was five years as CEO of the government’s Agency for Social Protection, during a turbulent period marked by fraud scandals and the pandemic. Leading, reforming and modernising the agency required persistence and adaptability.

Seychelles still faces significant challenges, including a shortage of skilled local workers. For businesses, this has increased reliance on foreign labour and driven up operating costs. In addition, bureaucratic obstacles and a heavy dependence on imported goods add complexity and expense to business operations.

However, the local market does offer opportunities, especially in areas that are underserved. Entrepreneurs who can bridge these gaps stand to benefit from strong demand and an evolving economic landscape.

What I enjoy most about my job is the constant challenges. I strive to elevate the organisations I lead to new heights, and as a risk taker I like making the bold decisions that others might avoid. I also enjoy developing the people around me, empowering them and providing opportunities for growth. I firmly believe that for any change to happen, the team must believe in the vision.

I have a favourite saying. ‘Don’t be afraid of being outnumbered. Eagles fly alone. Pigeons flock together.’ It inspires me to aim high and have faith in my abilities.

Alongside running my own firm I also participate professionally through other roles. I am vice chairperson of the Seychelles Association of Accountants and sit on the board of the Seychelles Pension Fund as chair of its audit and risk committee. Balancing these responsibilities, alongside being a mother, requires disciplined time management and strong family support. Staying focused, working with integrity and embracing accountability are the fundamental principles that have guided me in these multiple roles.

If I had law-making powers, I would change the approach to legislation to make it forward-looking and adaptable, and not limited by a single objective or time frame. For example, while data protection laws are crucial, they can create barriers that slow progress in social justice. I would review these with a clear vision of the kind of social justice we want to achieve, ensuring they support both protection and equitable advancement.

If I weren’t a qualified accountant, I might have been a florist. As a student I enjoyed working in my parents’ floristry business which nurtured my creative side and felt good. At school, I also considered a future in medicine.

Outside of work, I have a deep passion for cooking and baking, and enjoy exploring new recipes with my family. I also prioritise ending the week with some form of exercise for my balance and wellbeing.