Insurance guru and former ACE boss, Brian Duperreault and educator Dr. George Cook have been inducted into the Company of Honorary Fellows of Bermuda College.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Darling, chair of the Company of Fellows, pinned and stoled the two new inductees during a ceremony followed by a five-star meal at the Coco Reef Hotel.

Mr. Duperreault is a 30-year insurance industry veteran who has been president and chief executive officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. since January 2008.

He formerly spent ten years as chief executive officer of ACE Limited. Prior to joining ACE, Mr. Duperreault served in various senior executive positions with American International Group and its affiliates from 1978 until 1994.

He currently serves on the boards of Tyco International Ltd., the Insurance Information Institute, the International Insurance Society, the Centre on Philanthropy and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, as well as on the Board of Overseers of the School of Risk Management of St. John's University.

Dr. Cook, who is now retired, began his professional career as assistant professor of History at Simon Fraser University in Canada.

He then returned to the Island, where he worked at Bermuda College in various capacities for 25 years from 1976 until 2001, eventually becoming President of the College.

Dr. Cook, who has published both scholarly and non-academic articles, remains an active member of several organisations including the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band, Hamilton Rotary Club, Keep Bermuda Beautiful and the St. George's Foundation.

The Company of Fellows, established by the College in 1980, now counts almost 80 community, education and service leaders in its ranks including former premiers Sir John Swan and Sir David Gibbons and Bank of Bermuda HSBC CEO, Philip Butterfield.

The process leading to the selection and induction of new fellows has led to controversy in the past, with Portuguese community leaders questioning the secretive nature of the decision-making process and ultimately, the scarcity of Fellows of Portuguese descent.

According to Lt. Col. Darling, the current selection process differs from that used in the past, however, with the Fellows themselves deciding who to induct.

"This year we sent a letter to all the Honorary Fellows asking for recommendations," he said.

"Each member then had the opportunity to give feedback on these recommendations.

"While the College Board has the final say on who is inducted, the convention seems to be to support the democratic choice of the Fellows."