Two graduates of a foundation reinsurance course at the Bermuda College have been awarded new scholarships to attend St John’s University’s Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management Insurance and Actuarial Science.

The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers said that the first Abir Scholars were 2022 Bermuda College graduates Kallan Richardson, the Abir/Arch Scholar, and Miguel Simas, the Abir/RenaissanceRe Scholar.

Abir said: “The significant awards will fund their tuition for two years at St John’s University’s Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management Insurance and Actuarial Science in New York.

“The scholarships are the latest product of the strategic partnership between Abir, Bermuda College and St John’s University, which has also delivered a foundation re/insurance course at Bermuda College in 2021 and 2022, and dozens of internships at Bermuda’s leading insurers and reinsurers. The aims of the partnership are to strengthen the pipeline of local talent into the re/insurance industry and to attract future Bermudian leaders from diverse backgrounds.”

Kallan, 16, completed the two-year associate of actuarial science programme at Bermuda College with a GPA of 3.5.

As a dual-enrolment student, he also graduated from The Berkeley Institute. In the autumn, he will transfer with advanced standing to pursue a bachelor of science degree in actuarial science at St John’s.

He is an intern at Arch, where he is gaining first-hand experience working with actuaries. The opportunity arose after Marc Grandisson, Arch Capital’s CEO and the chairman of Abir, spoke at Bermuda College to students, including Kallan, in January.

Kallan said: “I connected with Marc and he invited me to breakfast. He was very friendly and approachable, took a real interest in my career goals, and from there, I was able to get involved with Arch. I started working part-time there in March and full-time since May, when I completed my course.”

Miguel, 19, a graduate of CedarBridge Academy, graduated from the business administration programme at Bermuda College with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. He will study risk management and insurance at St John’s University.

He said: “This scholarship will allow me to attend my dream school. It’s made all the difference to me. I really appreciate that RenaissanceRe believes in me and has chosen to invest in my future and make it possible for me to go to St John’s.”

Marc Grandisson, chief executive officer of Arch Capital Group and chair of Abir, said: “Kallan is an exceptionally talented and mature young Bermudian, who has the potential to have a great career in the re/insurance industry. He has earned his selection as one of the inaugural Abir scholars and I am proud that Arch will be supporting his education at St John’s University.”

Kevin O’Donnell, CEO of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd, and past chair of Abir, said: “RenaissanceRe is delighted to support Miguel’s education as he pursues his goal of a career in the re/insurance industry. Miguel is a very deserving recipient of the first Abir/RenaissanceRe scholarship award and exemplifies the qualities we look for in future leaders. We wish him well on the next phase of his academic journey.”

Kallan and Miguel will be presented with their scholarships at a reception hosted by Abir.

Among the guests will be 58 interns working at Abir member companies this summer, re/insurance executives and representatives of Bermuda College, St John’s University and the Bermuda Government.