Two distinguished leaders from Bermuda’s international business community were congratulated by the Association of Bermuda International Companies for being honoured at the seventh annual Black History Month celebration dinner hosted by the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

The sold out event, which took place February 21, recognised Catherine Duffy and Patrick Tannock for their outstanding contributions to the insurance and reinsurance industry and their enduring impact on the community.

Ms Duffy retired as the country leader of Bermuda for AIG last October after six years in the post. The recipient of the Fred Reiss Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, she served on the Abic board for several years, stepping down at the end of last year.

Mr Tannock, who retired last spring as chief executive of Axa XL Bermuda insurance operations, served as Abic’s chairman until last September. He continues to sit on the Abic board, and executive, as immediate past chairman.

Abic said it brought together two tables of board members and guests to honour the trailblazers and acknowledge their legacy of leadership, mentorship and advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion in Bermuda’s business landscape.

Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, was Abic’s guest for the evening.

Christian Dunleavy, chairman of Abic, emphasised the importance of representation and opportunity in international business.

He said: “The achievements of Cathy and Patrick serve as powerful examples for young Bermudians who aspire to careers in international business. Their journeys prove that hard work, focus and determination can break barriers and lead to success at the highest levels. Abic remains committed to developing a pipeline of Bermudian talent that competes for opportunities in international business now and into the future.”

A spokesman for Abic said: “Abic also extends gratitude to the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club for its vision and leadership in hosting this significant event. The gala underscored the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where Bermudians from all backgrounds can see a path to success in international business.”

Ms Duffy said: “I am beyond thrilled to be recognised for my contribution to the [insurance and reinsurance] industry and to the community during Black History Month.

“Telling my story allows others to know anything is possible regardless of where we come from. Accepting opportunities that serve the greater good, being curious while being a continuous learner have opened doors unexpected for me as they can for anyone who dares to step out of their comfort zones with gratitude and grace.”

Mr Tannock said: “I am grateful for this recognition, and honoured to be part of the celebration of Bermuda’s Black leaders.

“The Bermuda international business sector has made positive strides in providing opportunities, but we still have much to do. As we maintain our relevance as an IB jurisdiction, we must continue to advocate for diversity and make the case for diverse candidates who can deal creatively with ambiguity and rapid change.

“It is important that we are on the right side of history, which will require strong authentic leadership from the executive suite to ensure that on the basis of merit, qualified highly educated Bermudians — be they men, women, Black or White, straight or members of the LBGTQ community — have an equal opportunity to participate and thrive in an industry that is the economic engine of the country. We can and must do better!”

Abic said that it looks forward to continuing its DEI initiatives and ensuring that all Bermudians, regardless of their starting point, have a pathway to fulfilling careers in international business.