News & Events

Whether you’ve been familiar with the industry for years, have a rudimentary understanding of it, or are a curious novice, the world of insurance is an exciting and dynamic industry to consider as a career. It continues to evolve, and faces a demanding future despite its operational and financial resilience. With so many local and international insurance and reinsurance companies in Bermuda, 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 to the local community.

Special Topics in Insurance (INS 2298): Foundations of Bermuda’s International Re/Insurance Sector’, will trace the evolution of the insurance concept from its humble beginnings as the headquarters for American International Company in 1948, to a major global player of risk management. It will examine such topics as:

• the economic contribution and role of re/insurance to Bermuda’s economy
• climate risk and Bermuda’s leading position of providing natural catastrophe reinsurance
• the growing legacy run-off industry in Bermuda as a capital management tool
• life & annuities
• Bermuda’s world-class regulatory regime.

What is so special about this course?
This course is foundational to an internship programme sponsored by ABIR which provides eligible students with scholarships to complete their bachelor’s degree at St John’s University.

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

Who is teaching the course?
The course will be facilitated by Craig Simmons, senior lecturer at Bermuda College and include lecturers from St. John’s University and ABIR field experts, key to the insurance/reinsurance industry.

Mr. Grandisson and Minister Dickinson will present at the Opening Session.

Minister of Finance, The Hon. Curtis Dickinson, JP, MP

Marc Grandisson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Arch Capital Group Ltd. and Chair, Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers (ABIR)

Director of Policy and Regulation, Corporate Secretary and Data Privacy Officer at ARIB, Suzanne Williams-Charles will be moderating the "Emerging Trends' session. 

Director, Insurance Supervision at the Bermuda Monetary Authority, Gerald Gakundi will be moderating the Regulatory session.

Country Leader of Bermuda AIG, Cathy Duffy

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

When is the course?
The 14-week course will be held every Monday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. beginning January 18. Lectures will be held between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

How do I register for the course?
Registration is now open! To register for the credit course, current students may register online or, if you are new to the college,  please fill out the registration form and return it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Scholarships in the amount of $465 for this course are available for Bermuda College students only.

Do I have to be a Bermuda College student to attend the lecture?
No, the lectures are open and free of charge to the community courtesy of ABIR.

What if I don’t want to take the course for credit but am interested in attending some of the lectures?
Sign up just for the lecture(s) of your choice - click here to register. The 90-minute lectures will start at 6:30 p.m. Remember you will not receive credit for only attending the lectures online.

For more information contact Paul Hardtman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Course Schedule
Class 1: January 18
Lecture 1: Socio-economic impact of international business on Bermuda
Welcome by ABIR Chair, Marc Grandisson, CEO of Arch & Finance Minister Curtis Dickinson
Craig Simmons, Bermuda College

Resources:
ABIR Fact Sheet
GDP Release, Department of Statistics
Employment Briefs, Department of Statistics
Balance of Payments & International Investment Position, Department of Statistics

Class 2: January 25
Lecture 2: The evolution of international insurance in Bermuda
Cathy Duffy, Country Leader of Bermuda AIG

Class 3: February 1
Lecture 3: International Re/insurance in Bermuda
Judy Gonsalves, Bermuda CEO, Chubb

Class 4: February 8
Lecture 4: Life insurance and annuities
Chantal Cardinez, Bermuda CEO of Hannover Re

Class 5: February 15
Lecture 5: Insurance Careers, Utilizing LinkedIn and other Social Media
Jodi Queen-Hubert & Vicki Wells, St. John's University, Maurice R. Greenberg, School of Risk Management, Insurance & Actuarial Science

Class 6: February 22
Lecture 6: Captive Insurance
Grainne Richmond, Vice President, Dyna Management Services Ltd. & Chair, Bermuda Insurance Management Association

Class 7: March 1
Alumni Panel: Benefits of studying at St. John’s University
Anson Aguiar, Chief Underwriting Officer, Pallas Reinsurance Company Ltd.

Mid-semester break: March 8

Class 8: March 15
Lecture 7: Collateralised reinsurance
LaVonne Smith, Senior Vice President, ILS Capital Management

Class 9: March 22
Lecture 8: Runoff Insurance
Jeff Burman, General Counsel, Fortitude Re

Class 10: March 29
Lecture 9: The Role of Regulation in Insurance: BMA
Gerald Gakundi, Director of Insurance Supervision, BMA
• regulatory arbitrage is a driver of international insurance market
• cooperation between regulator and insurance market
• low transactions cost: less regulatory bureaucracy and red-tape
• low corporate tax

Class 11: April 5
Lecture 10: Reinsurance and Climate Change
Craig Tillman, President, RenaissanceRe Risk Sciences & Angela A’Zary

Class 12: April 12
Lecture 11: Hot Topics—Cyber Risk
Suzanne Williams-Charles, Director of Policy and Regulation, Corporate Secretary and Data Privacy Officer, ABIR

Class 13: April 19
Lecture 12: Underwriting Cycle
Mark Browne, St. John's University, Maurice R. Greenberg, School of Risk Management, Insurance & Actuarial Science

Class 14: April 26
Panel discussion: Diversity & Inclusion in Re/insurance
Ivy Kusinga, Chief Culture and Talent Officer, Chubb