Hamilton Re chief executive officer Kathleen Reardon told a group of newly accredited underwriters that it is possible to find a balance between career and family commitments — but it requires a lot of energy.

Ms Reardon, a mother of two young children who has climbed to a leadership role in one of Bermuda’s newest reinsurance companies, was speaking at a conferment ceremony for a group who had achieved the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) designation.

She added that the reinsurance industry was “on the cusp of change” with evolving risks such as terrorism and the cyber threat to deal with, as well as the growing role of alternative capital.

Forty young professionals added the CPCU to their CV and their efforts were marked by the Bermuda Chapter of the CPCU Society.

Ms Reardon warned the group not to rest on their laurels.

“You are the future leaders of our industry,” she said. “And whether you take your place as a leader will depend on what you do during the next five to ten years.”

She urged them to add extra designations and grasp opportunities outside their comfort zones to build on their career.

“It’s hard when you have spouses, and children, and other commitments that eat up your time,” Ms Reardon said. “Believe me, as a wife and as a mother of two young children, I know how hard it is.

“But it is possible to find a balance that supports your career aspirations and your personal commitments. It takes a whole lot of juggling and a whole lot of energy, but these are the years when you have the ability to do this.”

She had some advice for young women looking to climb the career ladder.

“Put up your hand when stretch assignments come along,” she said. “And ladies, I’m looking particularly at you when I say this: Put. Up. Your. Hand.

“There’s a lot of research that indicates women hold back when opportunities for stretch assignments present themselves. Don’t give in to the temptation to do this. You have to believe that you can go head to head and toe to toe with any man out there.”

She also addressed the importance of data and diversity in building an effective management team.

“We work in a global, digital marketplace where data is the new currency,” Ms Reardon said. “Our clients’ needs are increasingly complex. In order to really understand our clients, we need to build teams that bring different skill sets and perspectives to problem solving.

“The result is a better solution, and an improved bottom line.

“As you move into positions of influence, be aware of the race, gender, age and nationality balance of the teams you’re building.

“You can call this diversity. I prefer inclusion: include voices, skills, and backgrounds that represent the local communities as well as the global market in which we’re doing business. Yes, maintain your standards, but be vigilant about who’s on your team.”

Ms Reardon added that she was “thrilled to be a CEO” in changing times facing the reinsurance industry.

“There’s no doubt that we’re in an industry on the cusp of change,” she said.

“With alternative capital, hedge funds, and threats like terrorism and cyber risk, it’s a brave new world. The role of insurers and reinsurers is changing, the role of brokers is changing — there’s a lot to adapt to.

I’m thrilled to be a CEO in this environment. This is when you get to do exciting, creative things. You get to shape the future of an industry that enables success.

“And you’re working in a country that’s developed an excellent model for our industry. The legislative and regulatory environment in Bermuda is world-class, and the business we write here is critical to the growth and development of the global economy.

“There’s no doubt that Bermuda’s here for the long haul.”