A series of lunch and learn workshops focused on helping women’s development in the business world, will be staged in April and May.

The series is being hosted by the Bermuda Insurance Institute, and will feature some of the island’s leading businesswomen, including Kathleen Reardon, chief executive officer of Hamilton Re, and Kathleen Faries, CEO of Tokio Millenium.

The Women’s Development Series is primarily aimed at women professionals, although professional men can also benefit from the information that will be imparted at the workshops.

“The Bermuda Insurance Institute is pleased to provide a seminar series with a focus on women’s development. Female professionals comprise a significant portion of the local workforce, and the BII believes it is important to provide professional development opportunities that focus on their growth and development,” said Dawnnelle Walker, chief executive officer of the BII.

“This Women’s Development Series is an opportunity to gain knowledge from and highlight some of the many women in leadership positions in business in Bermuda.”

The series starts on April 29 when Kim Wilkerson, head of claims at XL Catlin, will present the topic “Communicating with confidence, assertiveness, and authority”.

Other speakers lined up in the series include Allison Hill, CEO of Argus Group, Cathy Duffy, senior vice-president of XL Catlin, Chubb executives Judy Gonsalves and Alison Towlson, and Caroline Foulger, a former partner at PwC, who is now a director on a number of boards including the Bermuda Business Development Agency.

The Women’s Development Series will feature a range of topics, such as branding, leadership and negotiation. The series will take place at the BII premises at Sofia House, 48 Church Street. The sessions are open to people from any industry. To register visit the BII website at www.bii.bm, or call the BII on 295-1596.