An insurance industry stalwart is being mourned by Bermudians and the market for his contributions as an executive and as a person.

Robin Spencer-Arscott’s reputation stretched far beyond his role in the boardroom and his half-century career in the industry.

Long before this isolated island became the “risk capital of the world”, Mr Spencer-Arscott was a leader in efforts to make it so.

His development of Bermuda’s early initiatives to promote the island at the Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc annual meetings helped deepen Bermuda’s reputation as the captive domicile of choice.

As chairman of the “RIMS committee”, a group of Bermuda professionals determined to make a splash at the annual conference of US risk managers, he was known in Bermuda as Mr RIMS — and farther afield as Mr Bermuda.

The Royal Gazette chronicled in 2014 how Mr Spencer-Arscott was hailed a “true ambassador” for the island when he was honoured with the Bermuda Insurance Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The article told how he had been heavily involved in organising a Bermuda reception at the annual Monte Carlo Rendezvous — a key event in the reinsurance calendar, as well as the World Insurance Forum.

He served as chairman of the Bermuda RIMS committee for many years.

Mr Spencer-Arscott’s wife, Ann, wrote of him on LinkedIn: “Bermuda has lost an unsung hero.

“Bermuda was his home and he was so proud of being a part of the reinsurance industry and extolling the benefits of setting up shop here.”

She said her husband’s days in the folk group trio The Travellers allowed him to share his love of music with locals and tourists alike.

“He loved and cherished his family and friends. He was always there for you when you needed to have a serious chat or have some light banter.

“He loved a party of any sort and we had lots of those over the years. His infectious laugh drew you to him.

“But most of all, Robin was probably one of the best-dressed men in Bermuda; never a hair out of place, a crease gone wrong or a pocket square not matching and he proudly wore his Bermuda shorts at the RIMS and Monte Carlo Rendezvous Bermuda parties.”

Roger Gillett, a former ACE Bermuda executive who followed Mr Spencer-Arscott as chairman of the Bermuda Insurance Development Council and who headed the RIMS committee, recalled his passion for promoting Bermuda as a destination and as a market.

He said: “I had the pleasure of working with him on a number of industry initiatives.

“He was a fine example for those that followed in his footsteps; committed and serious in his intent but always with a smile, making him well regarded and genuinely liked both locally and internationally.

“A true professional but also a warm person who will be sorely missed.”

Michael Woodroffe, the president of insurance and reinsurance intermediaries Kirkway International, said: “Robin was always a charming, polite and sartorially flawless person and friend.

“He was a fearless leader and tireless booster of the island in the more difficult days before Bermuda became a global centre for insurance and reinsurance.

“I will always be grateful for his friendly advice and his being part of the small group that created the market the island enjoys today.”

Malcolm Butterfield, a former Bermuda market regulator, said: “Robin made immeasurable contributions to the insurance industry which all of us are benefiting from today and will continue to in the future.

“We can never forget what he gave to Bermuda over the many years as an active advocate for the island and the insurance industry.”

Rhona Emmerson, a leading executive, whose advertising, publicity and marketing firm was heavily involved in the Bermuda industry’s outreach, added to tributes.

From her retirement home in the south of France, she wrote: “It was with great sorrow I heard of Robin’s passing.

“He was the most charming, engaging, immaculate and driven man ensuring Bermuda’s insurance and reinsurance businesses were firmly recognised on the world stage.

“Working with Robin for many years when he was chairman and active committee member for the IDC, was a such pleasure.

“He was affectionately known as ‘Mr Bermuda’ when we worked the many RIMS conventions all over the United States.

“Never a hair out of place, pressed in his colourful Bermuda business attire, his engaging smile and ready handshake kept Bermuda’s business on the map.

“He had the gift of Bermudian charm, paired with a very sharp business acumen.

“He fully supported my team at AAC Saatchi & Saatchi for which I will be for ever grateful. They were some of the best of times in my career.

“Robin will be sadly missed by his precious family and by so many of us who had the pleasure to know him both in his business life as well as in his talented music career with John White and many others.”

Mr Spencer-Arscott graduated from Warwick Academy in 1960 and joined American International as an underwriting trainee.

From 1973 to 1980, he was with J H Blades & Co as vice-president and general manager.

“Robin has played an important role in promoting Bermuda overseas, particularly in the London and US markets,” the BII said.

“As a result of his service, Robin has been called a true ambassador for Bermuda.

“He held many roles during his long career, a number of them at the CEO level.”

The institute added: “Robin was president and CEO of Frank B Hall (Bermuda) Ltd from 1980 to1988. He was also chairman and CEO of Rollins Burdick Hunter (Bermuda) Ltd from 1988 to 1997, the precursor to Aon (Bermuda).

“From 1998 to 2003, he was president and CEO of RSA Services Ltd, an insurance consultancy company and he later became deputy chairman and director of AAA Risk Solutions Ltd, an energy broking company.”

• Robin Andre Spencer-Arscott, one of Bermuda’s leading insurance executives, was born on June 7, 1941. He died in January 2026, aged 84