Bermudians Jasmine DeSilva and Anastasia Slater have joined the Bermuda Business Development Agency, the organisation has announced.Mrs DeSilva has been appointed business development manager, responsible for driving initiatives in the insurance industry and working closely with key stakeholders and associations. Ms Slater takes up a position as business development co-ordinator on February 3, and will play a significant role in supporting the BDA’s efforts across the insurance market in addition to focusing on the technology sector, the organisation said.Roland Andy Burrows, chief executive officer of the BDA, said: “We are delighted to welcome these qualified professionals to the BDA and I know they will add great value to the work we are doing. “Jasmine has already hit the ground running and is currently attending the World Captive Forum, connecting with industry and driving home the message that Bermuda remains the premier domicile. With these recent additions to the team, the BDA is in a great position.”Mrs DeSilva has more than a decade of insurance industry experience, having previously worked as an assistant vice-president at Sompo International as an underwriter with a large portfolio of Fortune 500 accounts focusing on transportation and energy risk, the BDA said.Most recently, she worked to develop health and wellness initiatives at the Bermuda Wellness and Outreach Centre as their wellness strategist and fitness director. Mrs DeSilva achieved her chartered property casualty underwriter designation in 2010, and graduated from the University of Toronto with distinction. She is a member of the Bermuda chapter of the CPCU Society, serving as president from 2012 to 2013. She said: “Having taken a short break from the industry, I am delighted to be back and excited to be building on the excellent work that has been done to date.“Bermuda’s standing as one of the world’s most important insurance and reinsurance markets is something the whole island can be proud of and I feel privileged to be working with all those involved to make sure we continue to take advantage of new opportunities and are able to overcome any challenges.” Ms Slater is an AIR Institute certified catastrophe modeller with experience working in the industry at Axis Capital (Bermuda) Ltd, Sirius International (Bermuda) Ltd and Torus Reinsurance Ltd.Most recently, she worked as a professional consultant for a number of leading Bermuda firms, the BDA said. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from St John’s University, formerly the College of Insurance, in New York.Ms Slater said: “I’m very much looking forward to joining the BDA and have already been involved in discussions with the team about plans for this year. I hope to use my skills and experience to drive forward new business developments for the benefit of Bermuda.”