2005 Young Reinsurance Person Of The Year Meredith Head is encouraging young Bermudians to strive towards excellence and embrace opportunities.

Ms Head, vice president underwriting of Partner Reinsurance Limited, has carved out a successful path in the insurance business, while giving freely to support young Bermudians behind her.

?When I began in the industry, there was much publicity about the innovation and creativity within the Bermuda-based companies. If Bermuda is to maintain this kind of positive reputation, it is vitally important we continue to focus on education and training.

?Part of this applies to students taking advantage of scholarships, internships, and mentorship programmes, but perhaps an even more important element is the commitment to continuing to embrace educational opportunities even after becoming employed in the industry.?

Currently she is responsible for negotiating and underwriting property catastrophe transactions for US and Canadian clients, as well as for a variety of managerial responsibilities within the Bermuda-based underwriting team.

A graduate of Warwick Academy, she has been a mentor to the junior staff in her company and actively participated in organisations such as the Bermuda Insurance Institute and the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies, to raise awareness of opportunities in the insurance industry.

Ms Head joined Partner Re in April, 1997 and became one of the first Bermuda graduate entrants into the emerging Bermuda based mono-line catastrophe market of the mid-1990s.

During this time she began her insurance studies and received her MBA in Risk Management from the College of Insurance.

?I encourage our young people to always remain mindful that Bermuda competes with other (and in many cases much larger) countries in this industry and that our success depends on an ongoing commitment to excellence.

?I believe that it is up to us to demonstrate our capabilities and uphold the reputation of our Island within a very competitive environment.?

While Ms Head enjoyed receiving her award last Saturday, she also showed her community spirit on May 24 when she ran in the Marathon Derby to raise money for the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy.