Leaders in business and philanthropy have paid tribute to Brian O’Hara for his exceptional beneficial contributions to the Bermuda community.

They praised Mr O’Hara for providing opportunities for Bermudians in international business, promoting women into senior positions, and establishing a culture of ethics, excellence and respect at the company he led as CEO.

In addition, he was hailed for the support he gave to the Bermuda community in numerous other ways, personally and professionally.

As he stepped down as a member of the Bermuda Foundation board of directors, Mr O’Hara was presented with an award for his contributions to philanthropy, and a donation was made in his honour to the chair and Founders’ Fund for the Community.

The Foundation said that while Mr O’Hara has had a high profile role in international business, much of what he contributed to society was less well known. In aggregate, his impact has been significant, much of it ground-breaking.

Under his leadership, the organisation said, the XL Group led the way with the establishment of the XL Foundation, contributing more than $40 million to the community over its three decades of operation.

Additionally, the company has awarded annual full scholarships to university for dozens of Bermudians since the late 1980s. The XL Group’s Global Day of Giving was the first of its kind, marking the company’s 20th anniversary. It involved thousands of XL employees in 70 offices worldwide working as volunteers for their communities during a 24-hour period.

In addition, a statement said: “Personally, he has quietly financially supported individuals in need, donated to causes he believes in and has always been ready and willing to assist in addressing community needs. His work has demonstrated the goal of true philanthropy: to make a systemic and sustainable difference.”

“As a successful businessman, Brian was well positioned to do good in our community,” said Myra Virgil, managing director and CEO of the Bermuda Foundation. “He noted in an interview many years ago, it would have been good enough for international companies emerging in the 1980s to support the local economy by building their business in Bermuda and hiring Bermudians.

“At a time in Bermuda when philanthropy was not automatic or required, he was characteristically at the forefront of a movement that has lifted up so many Bermudians, and the community generally. We are glad to have had this opportunity to acknowledge Brian’s extraordinary and selfless contributions.”