Bermuda College to Launch New Compliance Academy

The Compliance Academy will launch this month in partnership with the Association of Bermuda Compliance Officers (ABCO), addressing the growing demand for education in compliance, governance, risk, and privacy.

In support of the launch, the second Bermuda Compliance Professionals Conference will be held on September 17 at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

The conference will serve as a precursor to the Academy and will highlight key themes in compliance, governance, risk, and privacy, uniting industry leaders to tackle emerging regulatory challenges.

It is the first such conference held on the Island since 2018 and will bring together leading compliance, governance, risk, and privacy professionals from across the island’s various sectors, including financial services, non-profit, and governmental agencies.

This year’s theme, “Future Proofing Compliance – Building Resilience in an Evolving and Revolving Global Landscape,” will address current and future challenges facing the compliance industry, including AML/ATF compliance, corporate governance, risk, privacy, and technology.

Featured speakers include experts from both the local and international compliance industry and regulators. CPD credits will be available to participants on request.

The Compliance Academy will begin on September 24 and will be delivered virtually. It will feature local and international instructors with compliance expertise in regulatory compliance, risk, governance, and privacy.

Tawana Flood, Director of the Athora Division of Professional & Career Education (APACE), which is delivering the programme, said it was designed to serve a diverse group of participants — from new entrants to seasoned professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge.

“It will also address the growing importance of compliance in regulatory environments and help to support existing and new industries, such as digital finance.”

She added: “The Academy’s flexible structure will allow students to enrol in individual modules or the full programme, which includes four key areas: AML/ATF regulatory compliance, governance, risk, and privacy.”

Although not a formal certification programme, participants will receive certificates of attendance for each completed module.

Bermuda College President, Dr. David Sam, said the initiative was “timely and vital.”

“As Bermuda prepares for its upcoming international Mutual Evaluation by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and seeks to support emerging sectors such as data privacy and digital assets, the Academy will help ensure a knowledgeable and competent workforce to meet the demands of a growing profession and regulatory expectations.”

The partnership with ABCO is expected to be finalised this month (September). ABCO will support the programme’s development and promotion, while all operational aspects will be managed by Bermuda College.

Cheryl-Ann Mapp, an experienced compliance professional with more than 25 years of industry expertise and an executive member of ABCO, has been instrumental in leading the Academy’s development and will serve as conference chair.

Mrs. Mapp said: “Bermuda’s reputation as a well-regulated international financial centre depends on the strength and expertise of its compliance community.

“These opportunities respond directly to the industry’s need for qualified professionals and create a platform for Bermudians to engage meaningfully in this space through dialogue, learning, and collaboration.”

Registration is now open for the Bermuda Compliance Professionals Conference at PTIX.bm. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

Registration for the Compliance Academy is done by completing the APACE Registration Form.