A free course on Bermuda’s insurance and reinsurance sector will return in January with sponsorship from the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) for a sixth consecutive year.
The Special Topics in Insurance program is scheduled to begin in January and will be offered in collaboration with Bermuda College and the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science at St. John’s University in New York.
John Huff, ABIR’s chief executive, said the ongoing support from ABIR members reflects their involvement in a community education initiative and in developing a talent pipeline.
“By opening doors to Bermudians who are curious about the sector, we are helping to inspire the next generation of leaders in an industry that is both global and vital to Bermuda’s economy,” he said.
Mark J. Browne, professor and chair of the faculty, said the course is designed to provide insight into Bermuda’s insurance sector and to serve as an entry point for those considering industry careers.
The 14-week online course is positioned as an introduction for participants seeking roles in the market. It is open to the public, including Bermudian students, with no fee.
ABIR has used the course in past years to introduce how the island’s market operates across multiple lines, and the fifth annual edition listed weekly topics spanning climate change, catastrophe reinsurance, cyber risk, captive insurance, collateralized reinsurance, life insurance, artificial intelligence and regulation.
The Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies is joining as a new partner this year and will coordinate the course and engage with students.
Victoria Cunningham, BFIS executive director, said, “This established and highly successful program aligns seamlessly with our mission and BFIS is honored to be its new home. It has already changed lives and bringing it under BFIS strengthens what we do best: preparing young Bermudians to succeed in international business.”
ABIR has linked the education effort to the sector’s role in the local economy, and it has been publishing updated figures alongside its community initiatives. In its 2024 economic substance survey, the association reported a record annual economic contribution exceeding US$1.2 billion from member companies.
Lloyd’s and The Institutes Knowledge Group will continue their partnership with the program for a second year. The Institutes Knowledge Group provides online courses and designations in risk management and insurance, including the Associate in Reinsurance designation.
Craig Simmons, retired senior lecturer at Bermuda College and the course facilitator, said the sessions will cover core concepts and multiple reinsurance lines. “At its core, insurance is about making people whole after they experience an unfortunate or catastrophic event,” Simmons said.
