The challenges and opportunities presented by Bermuda’s healthcare system will be among the topics explored by discussion panels at the annual conference presented by the Bermuda Insurance Institute.

The conference on October 3 has chosen “transformation” as its overall theme.

Matthew Irvine, Axa XL’s Bermuda professional lines chief underwriting officer, is the conference chairman. He said: “When we pick the topics for the conference, we ensure they fit in with the conference theme. So this year it is areas, products or industries that are experiencing dramatic transformation.

“The topics, however, also need to be in areas that our members will find of interest both professionally and personally. Therefore, we always look for topics that our members are already thinking about themselves, with the goal of providing insight and education in these areas of interest.”

Kim Wilkerson, of Axa XL, will moderate the healthcare panel and will be joined by panellists Michelle Jackson, of BF&M, and Ricky Brathwaite, of the Bermuda Health Council.

Other panel discussions are: “Opioids (How much pain can we take)”, moderated by Kirstin Beasley, of Willis; “Cannabis (How high is the cost)”, moderated by Mark Simons, of Marsh; “Wellbeing in the Workforce (The benefits to a healthy work force)”, moderated by Jacqueline Perreault, of Colonial; “Climate change (The storm approaches)”, moderator to be confirmed; and “CEO panel (The view from the top)”, moderated by Rees Fletcher.

The keynote address will be given by John Gale, CEO, Reinsurance Bermuda of Axa XL, on the topic of the “Insurance Gap”.

Mr Irvine said every generation feels that their period in time is seeing great change in the world.

“That is typically true, usually affecting one or two key areas, whether it be financial, political, technological, regulatory, economical or territorial,” he said.

“However, the unprecedented speed of the transformation in all of these key elements is what really differentiates the world now from prior periods of change.

“Transformation was typically at a steady pace, which allowed for trial and error, but with the rapid change we now experience, we often do not have the luxury to ask ourselves whether the transformation will always make sense, either financially or socially.”

He added: “At the BII, we always try and choose themes for our annual conference that will interest our members, attract high calibre speakers and will have the conference attendees engaged. Our goal is always to make the BII conference a must attend event.

“Bermuda as a re/insurance marketplace has always been at the forefront of transformation to find solutions for its clients, both in products and efficiencies so it seemed like a perfect theme for a conference that will be of great interest to all our members and other stakeholders in Bermuda.”

Conference tickets are available by contacting the BII office on 295-1596.