Twelve Bermudian university students have been selected to take part in a new summer internship programme developed by a partnership between the ACE Group, Bank of Bermuda and Deloitte & Touche. The programme offers young Bermudian students the opportunity to gain work experience at each of the three partnership companies. The 10-week programme will be launched today with an orientation day at ACE Global Headquarters.

The key objective of the programme is to expose Bermudian business students to different aspects of the international business sector and by doing to provide them with information that will enable them to make sound career choices. The areas of focus are insurance and reinsurance at the ACE Group, finance and risk management at Bank of Bermuda and assurance and accounting at Deloitte & Touche.

Additionally, the programme intends to promote good corporate citizenship through the Bermuda Outward Bound programme

Of the 43 applicants, 12 students were selected from business-related fields of study, including accounting, finance, management, marketing and economics. Participants are: Adam Cooper (Tufts University), Anne Marwick (Western University), Chesney Pearman (American University), David Roache (University of Toronto), Jay-Lee Maurice Smith (Alabama A&M), Jennifer Panchaud (Western University), Latanya Dickinson (Bermuda College), Leslie Hern (University of Toronto), Nicole Brunson (Flagler College), Sharmini Thamotheram (Western University), Shea-Tai Maurice Smith (Alabama A&M) and Stephanie Lewis (Limestone College).

Edmina Bradshaw, chief learning officer at ACE Limited, said: "This programme is testament not only to ACE's commitment to pro-actively identifying and developing outstanding Bermudian talent, but also to its commitment to providing effective opportunities for continuous learning."

Chief operating officer of Bank of Bermuda, Phil Butterfield, added: "At the bank we believe it is critical that we find ways to contribute to the development of young Bermudians into tomorrow's business leaders.''

Roger Titterton, partner at Deloitte & Touche, said: "Giving these promising students access to three of the major players in the financial services sector in Bermuda in one summer internship programme represents an innovative way to assist them with their career aspirations."