The Association of Bermuda International Companies reflected on a year of intensive policy work, expanded outreach and major educational investment during its annual meeting on Friday at Axa XL.

The organisation also laid out how their progress in 2025 sets the stage for continued focus on regulation, competitiveness and workforce development in the year ahead.

Abic represents 135 member companies — including ten new members this year — across insurance and reinsurance, financial services, trading, oil, shipping and investment companies.

Chairman Christian Dunleavy said Abic’s mission is to ensure Bermuda is a domicile where international companies “come and choose to stay,” supported by strong local talent and a competitive regulatory environment.

Top priorities this year in their advocacy with government included the cost and ease of doing business, corporate tax implementation, immigration and education.

During the year, Abic was involved in many working meetings with government officials and others, including the Premier, the Governor, the Minister of Finance, Opposition members, the Tax Reform Commission and the Corporate Income Tax Agency.

Abic’s Tax Working Group has expanded as it continues to provide input to government while supporting members’ understanding of the corporate income tax implementation and the development of tax credits.

Abic also worked closely with the Immigration Department to improve processing times and welcomed full implementation of the fast-track work permit policy for actuaries.

Abic’s outreach included a refreshed website, increased activity on LinkedIn and Instagram and contributions to industry publications and panels.

Mr Dunleavy noted the work of Abic members with Keep Bermuda Beautiful and a collaboration with companies in the filming of a documentary highlighting Black Bermudian men in international business.

Abic expanded its work with the Youth Employment Programme and hosted its first intern reception. It also participated in the government’s Bridge to Work initiative and continued leading the “International Business is Everybody’s Business” campaign, which added a career-shifter scholarship.

Abic’s scholarship efforts included members donating a record $800,000 this year to support 28 students, contributing further to the more than $21 million awarded over four decades.

Educational outreach also included a major upgrade to Abic’s BermudaScholarships.com website through partnership funding.

Public schools received support through career fairs, mentoring and teacher workshops.

For 2026, Abic welcomes four new board members: Andy DeGregorio from Deloitte, Judy Gonsalves from Chubb, Matthew Furr from Orbis and Peta White from Vantage Risk.

Mr Dunleavy thanked four directors who are stepping down: Laura Taylor, Susan Pateras, Sylvia Oliveira and Roy Fellowes.

Mr Fellowes, who has led Abic’s tax working group for the past five years, has served on the board for more than 30 years.