A past recipient of the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies scholarship will lead the organisation as its new president.

Stephen Jones has served on the BFIS board since 2014, and has been on the scholarship committee for six years.

As a past scholarship recipient, mentee and mentor, Mr Jones has “an in-depth knowledge of the foundation and is a strong advocate for the work that BFIS does from high school up to postgraduate and young professional level”, according to a statement from BFIS.

Chairwoman Gayle Martin also thanked the board and committees and volunteers who assist with the mentor networking and career information programmes.

She said: “They are a vital part of making BFIS into the exceptional organisation it has become over the past 21 years and makes me very optimistic for our future. We now see that 60 per cent of all our committees comprise BFIS alumni.”

She gave special thanks to the BFIS staff Cathy Lapsley and Jane Bielby.

“They are, as always, very enthusiastic and nurturing and every student I speak with tells me how helpful they are and what a difference BFIS has made in their lives.

“In general, our scholarship programme gets the most recognition but in fact BFIS does so much more. Cathy and Jane spend a lot of time in our senior schools, both public and private, giving career guidance presentations, helping students understand more about insurance and careers in the industry. These sessions are followed by lunch and learns where students get to meet and chat with professionals in a casual atmosphere.”

Ms Martin noted that for next year a schools outreach committee has been formed to answer the need to gain even more traction in promoting the insurance industry as a career option in Bermuda’s high schools.