The Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies has hosted one of the highlights of its annual calendar — a speed networking luncheon connecting students with seasoned industry professionals.

Mentor networking committee co-chairwoman Victoria Cunningham welcomed the attendees.

“Everyone was excited to be attending in person for the first time in years,” she said. “The set-up gives students some time with each professional. We completed eight rotations before breaking for lunch and had more informal networking while we ate.”

Ms Cunningham added: “This kind of connecting is a vital part of what BFIS provides to its scholars — each has a dedicated mentor, but we also organise multiple opportunities for them to interact with a variety of professionals, which increases confidence and industry awareness.

“Professionals in turn are very generous with sharing their time, advice and direction.”

After the lunch, BFIS reported, one of the students said: “I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend this event. I was able to connect with my mentor as well as other seasoned industry professionals. The experience provided me with an avenue to gain valuable insight into the industry and expand my professional network.”

Twenty scholars from schools and universities in Bermuda, Britain, the United States and Canada attended along with 20 professionals representing Allied World, Argo, Ariel Re, Ark Underwriting, Axa XL, Chubb, Conduit Re, Hamilton Re, KPMG, Markel, Marsh, MS Amlin, Sompo and Willis Towers Watson.

Stephen Jones, the chairman of BFIS, attended the event and said he was encouraged by the turnout.

“Dealing with the impacts of the pandemic, the past few years have meant a large number of our events have either been cancelled or turned virtual,” he said.

“While we have been able to support our students and scholars financially and with mentors, they have still missed the face-to-face interaction which is so important in the business setting.

“This was a great opportunity to get back together again in person and we thank the professionals for giving us their valuable time as well as Axa XL for sponsoring the venue and lunch.”

A BFIS spokeswoman added: “The turnout at our event during a busy period for the re/insurance industry shows our professionals are willing to take the time to discuss career paths and options with our students.

“BFIS has given out $8 million in scholarship awards to 245 Bermudian scholars since 1996, continuing to fulfil the vision of its founders to provide an educated pool of Bermuda talent for the ever-expanding re/insurance market.”

BFIS said its 2023 calendar includes an in-person high school networking lunch series in February for students in their final years at school, student networking events over the summer and the popular summer internship programme in Bermuda, Chicago and London.

BFIS