The Bermuda Foundation For Insurance Studies yesterday announced that Overseas Partners Limited has joined its membership and pledged to donate $25,000 a year for the next five years.

Pictured, from left to right are Lynda Davidson-Leader, OPL's vice president of shareowner relations, BFIS chairman Brian Hall, Walter Scott, BFIS Advisory Trustee and Mary Hennessy, CEO and president of OPL.

The funds will be used to expand the BFIS's education initiatives, which include scholarships for students studying for degrees in insurance, actuarial science and finance. The foundation also provides mentoring and intern and job search programmes.

"By supporting BFIS we are taking a positive role in educating Bermudians to enable them to join Bermuda's dynamic insurance industry," said Ms Hennessy.

Mr. Hall added: "This pledge from OPL is indicative of the support which BFIS has throughout the industry."

He said that companies understood that Bermuda would be better off as a whole with more Bermudians professionally trained in insurance.