Suzanne Williams has been named as the new director of policy and regulation for the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers.

Ms Williams, a Bermudian, will start in her new role with the industry representative body in May 2018.

The news was announced at Abir’s quarterly board meeting.

Ms Williams has nearly 22 years of industry leadership experience. She is the head of reinsurance compliance at Hiscox Re in Bermuda.

She also accumulated more than a decade of regulatory experience in increasing roles of responsibility at the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), culminating in her role as deputy director of insurance supervision.

In this role, she directed both group and solo entity level supervision, undertaking risk-based supervision of all commercial regulated entities in the insurance sector. While at the BMA, she also served in leadership roles in areas of licensing and authorisations and restoration, run-off review and monitoring. Ms Williams also represented the BMA at working groups of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).

Before her regulatory career, Ms Williams worked with KPMG in senior audit and audit manager positions.

She holds a bachelor of arts, business administration degree from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, is a certified public accountant and has achieved several insurance industry designations.

“Suzanne Williams’ industry and regulatory experience make her a solid addition to Abir, helping to continue its role as an industry-leading organisation representing public-policy interests of Bermuda’s international property and casualty insurers and reinsurers that protect consumers around the world,” John Huff, Abir’s CEO, said.

Kevin O’Donnell, Abir’s chairman and CEO of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd, said: “Suzanne’s extensive experience in both the public and private sectors make her a good fit to serve our members.

“She brings strong technical and leadership skills to the Abir organisation and membership, at a time when a number of initiatives are under way to sustain and enhance Bermuda’s leadership position as blue-chip, well-regulated, co-operative and transparent jurisdiction.”

At the Air board meeting, Mr O’Donnell recognised Leila Madeiros for her service to Abir over the past 12 years.

“Leila has played a remarkable leadership role for Abir over her long tenure,” Mr O’Donnell said. “Among other things, she was instrumental in Abir’s efforts on the Bermuda Solvency II equivalency project and for a range of other accomplishments towards Abir’s policy work over these years.

“We thank Leila for her tremendous contribution to both Abir and its members and to the Bermuda market, and it is with heartfelt appreciation and gratitude that the Board recognises her many contributions.”