A commitment to fostering close ties came up when David Burt met with officials in London today, the Government announced.

The Premier is leading a government delegation in key meetings to strengthen relations and promote Bermuda as a global business destination.

A statement said Mr Burt held meetings with the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and Baroness Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary General, during a “brisk” day of activities.

He also met Michael Minelli, Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Mr Burt said his meeting with Mr Lammy at an event hosted by Baroness Scotland was his first encounter with the minister since the new Labour government assumed office.

The Premier said: “Minister Lammy spoke fondly of Bermuda, and we committed to ensuring a continued strong partnership between Bermuda and the UK.

“I look forward to further engagement and meaningful co-operation at the upcoming Joint Ministerial Council in November.”

Following a meeting with Baroness Scotland, Mr Burt met with Mr Minelli at Mansion House ahead of the mayor’s upcoming visit to Bermuda.

He said: “We discussed Bermuda’s critical role in driving climate finance innovation through our reinsurance and insurance industry.

“I look forward to the Lord Mayor’s visit to Bermuda as we continue to strengthen the ties with the City of London which supports growth in our reinsurance and insurance industry, and creates jobs and opportunities that benefit Bermudians.”

During his meetings, Mr Burt was interviewed by the Financial Times.

A government spokeswoman said: “The Premier touted Bermuda’s stellar business reputation and the island’s continued leadership as the world’s risk capital.”

Mr Burt will travel to Brussels tomorrow where he will participate in several events on behalf of the Ministry of Finance.

He will also meet with Lindsay Croisedale-Appleby, the UK Mission to the European Union Ambassador.

He is then expected to meet members of the EU’s Code of Conduct Group.

During this leg of the trip, the Premier will attend the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers’ annual international insurance regulatory dialogue events, where he will participate in a discussion with Stephen Catlin, executive chairman of Convex.

Additionally, the Premier will jointly host the opening reception to the regulatory dialogue with Abir, during which the five-year anniversary of the Bermuda Government’s Brussels Office will be observed.

Following the Brussels leg of the trip, the Premier will travel to Paris for meetings with officials of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, headquartered at the French capital.

He will then travel to Ireland, where he will hold meetings with Jack Chambers, the Irish Minister of Finance, and James Geoghegan, the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

The Premier said: “Overall, our message is aimed at reminding our partners of the importance of Bermuda’s role in global insurance and reinsurance markets and highlighting our strong commitment to compliance with international standards, co-operation and transparency.

“We are very excited about this opportunity and seek to build and foster new relationships and strengthen and enhance existing ones in the region.”

The Premier is accompanied on the trip by Chidozie Ofoego, the Financial Secretary; Kenneth Joaquin, Registrar of Companies; Kimberley Durrant, director of the London Office and Aliyyah Ahad, head of European affairs and policy at the Brussels Office.

The delegation will return to the island on September 11.