ABIR Course & Lecture Series

Spring 2025 Bermuda College is proud to partner with St. John’s University, and the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) to offer this uniquely relevant and timely online series of lectures.



ABIR Course & Lecture Series

Dr. David Smith
Bermuda College President,
Dr. David Sam
John Huff
President & CEO of ABIR,
Mr. John Huff

 

Special Topics in Insurance - Lecture Series


The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) has partnered with Bermuda College and St. John's University in New York to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to recruit the next generation of re/insurance leaders in Bermuda.

Special Topics in Insurance is a 14-week course designed to cover the evolution of Bermuda's re/insurance industry and its economic significance including topics on climate risk and Bermuda's leading position in providing natural catastrophe reinsurance, Bermuda's growing legacy run-off industry, life and annuities, collateralized reinsurance, captive reinsurance and Bermuda's world-class regulatory framework.

The course is free to all participants courtesy of ABIR.

Courses can be signed up for on an individual basis depending area of interest or as a full course.

Dates for the Special Topics in Insurance - Lecture Series:

Week 1
Jan 13, 2025 6:00PM Introduction to Course - Roundtable Discussion - Socio-economic impact of international business in Bermuda
Panelists: The Hon. Jason Hayward JP, MP | Minister of Economy and Labour in the Bermuda Government
Mark Pickering | Group Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited
Craig Simmons | Economist, Course Lecturer Bermuda College
Moderator: Collin Anderson | Director of Policy and Regulation, ABIR

Week 2
Jan 20, 2025 6:00PM - Climate Change, Sustainability and Partnerships
Angela A’Zary | SVP, Client Risk Analytics, RenaissanceRe

Week 3
Jan 27, 2025 6:00PM - The Evolution of International Insurance in Bermuda Discussion + Overview of the Lloyd’s Market and Review of the Collaborative Relationship between Lloyd’s and Bermuda
Craig Simmons | Economist, Lecturer, Bermuda College
John Huff | CEO, Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR)
Marc Lipman | President, Lloyd’s Americas

Week 4
Feb 3, 2025 6:00PM - Collateralized Reinsurance
Natasha Osborne | Head of Finance, Hiscox ILS.
Taijaun Talbot | Assistant Director – Insurance Supervision, Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Week 5
Feb 10, 2025 6:00PM - Artificial Intelligence + History, Partnerships and Scholarships with The Institutes
The Institutes

Week 6
Feb 17, 2025 6:00PM - Captive Insurance
Timae Flood | Assistant Director, Insurance Supervision, Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA).

Week 7
Feb 24, 2025 6:00PM - Networking Event

Week 8
Mar 10, 2025 6:00PM - Cyber Risk
Lloyd Holder | Chief Information Security Officer, SiriusPoint.
George Alayon | Deputy Director, Supervision (Insurance), Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Week 9
Mar 17, 2025 6:00PM - Life, Health & Annuity Reinsurance
Chantal Cardinez | CEO, Hannover Re

Week 10
Mar 24, 2025 6:00PM - Insurance Careers, Utilizing LinkedIn and other Social Media
Vicki Wells | Assistant Director, The Ellen Thrower Centre for Apprenticeship and Career Service, School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science, St. John's University.
Tai Hong Kim | Assistant Director, The Ellen Thrower Centre for Apprenticeship and Career Service, School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science, St. John's University.

Week 11
Mar 31, 2025 6:00PM - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panel Discussion
Judy Gonsalves | Vice President, Chubb Group & Division President, Chubb Bermuda.
Karen King | Excess Liability Claim Handler, Chubb Bermuda.

Week 12
Apr 7, 2025 6:00PM - Issues in Catastrophe Reinsurance Underwriting: The Underwriting Cycle and Adverse Selection
Mark Browne | Professor & Faculty Chair, Maurice R. Greenberg, School of Risk Management, Insurance & Actuarial Science, St. John's University.

Week 13
Apr 14, 2025 6:00PM - The Role of Regulation in Insurance: Bermuda Monetary Authority
Gerald Gakundi | Director, Insurance Supervision, Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA).

Week 14
Apr 21, 2025 6:00PM - Run Off Insurance
Nelson Lee FCAS FIAA FSAS | Chief Actuary General Insurance, Fortitude R
Dennis Mathagu | AVP, Corporate Development, Fortitude Re
Kyle Vrieze | VP, Actuarial Reserving, Fortitude Re


FAQ'S

What is so special about this course?
This course integrates insights from industry thought leaders in the Bermuda re/insurance sector, offering an overview of its dynamic re/insurance market. Participants will gain a broad understanding of current trends, challenges and opportunities within the re/insurance industry. This firsthand knowledge will equip individuals taking the course with practical insights that will provide a foundation for entrance into the complex landscape re/insurance in Bermuda.

When is the course?
The course is held every Monday for 14 weeks from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. beginning January 13th, 2025.

What is the format of the course?
The course will be remote/online using Zoom.

What will I need to take the course?
You will need access to a computer with a camera and microphone.

Do I have to be a Bermuda College student to attend the lecture?
You do not have to be a Bermuda College student to attend the lectures. The course is open to all, at no charge courtesy of ABIR.

How do I register?
Click here to register for any one of the webinars between January 13th - April 21st.

For further information?
For more information contact Craig Simmons at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Kamila Bean
Mikkail Crockwell    |   BC ALUMNI
Programme - Associate of Arts (Business Administration)
Thomas College - Class of 2014 - B.SC (Management)

 

Loyalty Transport Services  |   CEO 

"I was young and not too interested in College, but I knew I would need some form of post-secondary education to survive in Bermuda's economy. I entered into the business programme at Bermuda College because that's what everyone else was doing, and I knew that our economy was heavily reliant on local and international business.


Once I started, I realised that I was capable of so much more than I thought I was, based on my interactions with the faculty and staff. They were communicative, empathetic, and I began making meaningful connections and friendships. For me, it was more about finding myself than taking classes, and the teachers understood that. Mrs. Parsons, my accounting teacher, was wonderful and made sure I kept my head above water when I needed assistance the most.


Bermuda College helped me step outside my comfort zone and learn how to become a leader for myself first. I recognise that you only lose once you quit."

In his own words...