The Nassau-based company that has experienced impressive growth since its founding adding innovative products including the first AI-powered humanoid in financial services today revealed it will expand to Freeport, creating a regional hub in the Northern Bahamas.

News of the expansion came from Simplified Group of Companies founder and CEO Robert Pantry, who said the major step reflected the company’s belief in the future of Grand Bahama.

“We are very bullish on Grand Bahama and believe that Grand Bahama’s best days lie ahead,” said Pantry. “We want to be part of the New Grand Bahama and grow alongside the island that will stand apart for the diversity of its economy. We believe that Simplified Group’s diverse portfolio of products and services complements the broad spectrum of economic, academic and commercial resurgence of the Second City.”

Alexis Schaffer, who has been with Simplified for more than six years, has been named Head of Simplified North. The new flagship location will provide services ranging from lending and insurance to vehicle sales and rentals and humanoid robot sales and rentals.   

“Alexis combines strong leadership with an insatiable curiosity about innovation and technology – the driving force behind Simplified Group’s efforts to continually find ways to make it easier for the consumer to conduct their daily lives,” said Pantry. “We believe she is the ideal candidate for this exciting next step in the Simplified Group of Companies.”

Schaffer, who holds a Master’s degree in International Business from MIU City University Miami and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Midwestern State University, said she is eager to take the lead in Grand Bahama.

“I am honoured to have been selected to head the Northern Division and excited to get started, helping clients experience a simpler way to borrow or benefit from any of the other services that we will provide, including AI services said Schaffer. “We believe that as others see a brighter tomorrow for Grand Bahama, more Bahamian businesses will follow.”

The companies that will operate out of the facility include Simplified Lending, Affinity Insurance, Auto Simplified, Rental Simplified (vehicle rentals), Simplified Tech and Simplified Real Estate Holdings.

The expansion to Grand Bahama follows closely on the heels of the opening of its Robinson Road Branch in Nassau, which opened earlier this year. The company also operates branches on Tonique Williams Darling Highway and its head office which remains on JFK in the former RND Cinema Plaza.

Pantry said Grand Bahama represents more than another branch.

“With Alexis  at the helm, the Grand Bahama location will serve as a base for regional expansion in services and AI-powered humanoid technology and we expect great things to emerge from the tech division in particular,” said Pantry.

Founded in 2019 with a mission to simplify and improve the borrowing process, Simplified Lending has grown into a major Bahamian corporate entity. In 2021, it acquired Affinity Insurance and since then, it has added vehicle sales and rentals, real estate holdings, AI training services and its most widely recognized product – Evie, its AI-powered humanoid.

While the company’s portfolio has expanded, nothing has captured the imagination of the public more than its introduction of the first AI-powered humanoid trained to do the initial intake for loans. Nicknamed Evie, she was trained first under Schaffer and more recently under the tutelage of tech guru Gerlia Nairn.

“Today, Evie is such a part of the Simplified family that when folks walk in in the morning, they say good morning to her,” said Nairn. More importantly, says Pantry, she is an expediter, helping with loan applications, spotting anything that might be missing or incomplete or that she knows from experience will impact the time it takes for a loan officer to reach a decision.

Simplified Lending has also expanded its range of products including expansion of lending to small and medium-sized businesses.

“You can talk tech and efficiency all day but at the end of the day it is quality of life that matters and that’s what we hope to bring to more people in Grand Bahama. We believe the presence of Simplified Group of Companies will create opportunities for others as we expand lending activity there, bring innovation and reflect our long-term commitment to the future of Grand Bahama.”

The new flagship location is expected to open in the latter part of 2026, with recruitment already underway for Bahamians to fill positions including AI and Robotics Assistants and General AI and Robotics Support Staff. New employees will receive targeted training and development to build advanced skills in AI and robotics, creating opportunities for Bahamians to participate in this emerging field. These roles will involve working alongside AI agents and robots, providing human guidance, oversight and support needed to deliver a more efficient and personalized client experience.

The company’s charitable arm, Love Simplified, has supported numerous community initiatives, mainly for youths, the elderly and inner-city neighborhoods.