An anti-racism charity said international businesses should push for racial equity.

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda said companies should examine their policies, procedures, pay scales and benefits to create a level playing field.

Curb added it was prepared to work with companies after Jonathan Reiss, chief financial officer at Hamilton Insurance Group, urged the international sector to do more to promote diversity in their businesses.

Curb welcomed Mr Reiss’s speech, which was made at the Bermuda Captive Insurance Conference on Wednesday, but it said progress would only happen if international businesses come forward with a timeline for action.

Curb added Mr Reiss’s speech, together with a recent Association of Bermuda International Companies’ presentation on Diversity and Inclusion, showed that the international business sector is “beginning to move towards a more socially conscious business model”.

Mr Reiss highlighted a lack of black Bermudians at senior levels in the insurance industry and suggested he had career advantages because he is white with good family connections.

He added: “It’s the legacy of white supremacy, slavery and how this legacy continues to permeate our institutions despite the monumental shift in attitudes and intentions.”

The Curb spokeswoman said: “Curb encourages and supports individuals like Jonathan Reiss for taking an initial step towards equality.

“We encourage the Association of Bermuda International Companies in their work with their membership to bring about greater diversity and equity within their industry.

“We support the Dive-In Festival, a worldwide festival of diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry, and the local companies in the insurance industry who support the annual festival in Bermuda.”

She added: “Initially we were surprised that it was met with glowing support and a standing ovation, but we understand the racial dynamics at play here.

“Although such comments are rare, coming from a white male of power, they have been stated many times over the decades by blacks in the community from whom a heavy social and economic price was extracted.

“However, Eva Hodgson, who has fought for racial justice for over 75 years, once said to a group of Curb members that it did not matter the colour of the person’s skin the message came from, as long as the message got out.”

The spokeswoman also highlighted the Workforce Equity Act of 2007, which never became law.

She said: “International business in 2007 were among the first to come out publicly in support of the Workforce Equity Act which, had it been passed, might have mitigated some of the inequities we see today.

“However, a strong backlash from the local business community silenced the international business community and buried that draft Act. Perhaps they will show greater courage now.”

• To read Jonathan Reiss’s speech, and Curb’s response in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”