Veteran insurance leader Kevin O’Donnell is to deliver the industry keynote speech at Bermuda Convergence 2019, conference organisers ILS (Bermuda) Ltd have announced.

More than 300 delegates from more than a dozen countries are expected to attend the seventh annual event, covering the alternative reinsurance, insurance linked securities and collateralised reinsurance landscape, at the Hamilton Princess Hotel from October 9 to 11.

Mr O’Donnell, chief executive officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd, will speak on Thursday October 10.

Kathleen Faries, ILS Bermuda chairwoman, said: “He is a well-known leader in the reinsurance arena and his insights into the rapidly changing world of risk transfer are always welcomed by our industry.

“What’s clear is that entities across the world are increasingly looking to reinsurance and ILS to mitigate risks associated with natural catastrophes and climate risk and Bermuda’s companies are at the forefront of this new paradigm. We are delighted to welcome Kevin and look forward to hearing his views on the market.”

Tim Tetlow, deputy chair and spokesperson for ILS Bermuda’s thought leadership and education team, said: “Kevin and RenaissanceRe have been at the forefront in developments in catastrophe risk transfer practices for over two decades and have recently enhanced their global reinsurance leadership with the acquisition of Tokio Millennium Re. I look forward to hearing Kevin’s perspective on the industry and its future.”

Mr O’Donnell has served as RenRe’s CEO since July, 2013 and as president since November, 2012. He is responsible for the oversight and management of the company’s reinsurance and insurance businesses. Mr O’Donnell previously served as executive vice-president and global chief underwriter from 2010.

He was president of Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd from 2005, overseeing the company’s reinsurance lines, including property and casualty and specialty reinsurance, as well as its joint ventures.

Mr O’Donnell has served as chief underwriting officer for the company’s key joint ventures, Top Layer Re and DaVinci Re. In 2009, he directed the launch of RenaissanceRe Syndicate 1458 at Lloyd’s.

Mr O’Donnell has been with the company since 1996, when he joined to lead the international underwriting and ceded reinsurance businesses.

Organisers say Bermuda Convergence 2019 will feature a line-up of speakers and “Bermuda Shorts” topics including: “climate: perspectives from science”, “climate: perspectives from industry”, “investing in ILS”; and “the state of the market and emerging opportunities”.