Encouraging fresh talent into the re/insurance industry will be the focus of the Future Leaders Forum, organised by the Bermuda Business Development Agency as part of next week’s Bermuda Risk Summit.

The programme is designed to connect students, graduates, and career shifters with the people, pathways, and practical insights needed to build long-term careers in Bermuda’s risk and insurance sector.

The Future Leaders Forum will take place on March 11 at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club.

In a press release, the BDA said the forum was designed to strengthen Bermuda’s local pipeline by bringing new talent into direct conversation with industry professionals and educators, experts in areas ranging from underwriting and analytics to engineering, claims, finance, compliance, and catastrophe modelling.

Victoria Cunningham, executive director of the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies, which is supporting the BDA with the forum, said talent development was “fundamental to the long-term strength of the market”.

“I spent over 20 years of my career in reinsurance, and I’ve seen first-hand how a single mentor, internship, or scholarship can change the trajectory of a young person’s life,” Ms Cunningham said.

“The Future Leaders Forum brings industry and opportunity into one room and helps emerging professionals see themselves as part of Bermuda’s future leadership.”

Korrin Lightbourne, business development manager at the BDA and organiser of the forum, said: “Bermuda’s risk sector is full of high-calibre careers, but too often the entry points can feel unclear. We’re building a practical bridge with real guidance and clearer visibility into where opportunities exist, and what it takes to pursue them.”

The forum is intended to extend exposure and opportunity to young people from all backgrounds.

Keisha Douglas, principal of The Berkeley Institute, said: “What students need is proximity to possibility, to hear directly from professionals, understand the options, and see a path that feels real.

“This forum helps make that connection, and it reinforces that Bermuda’s most important industries should be open to talent from every corner of the island.”

The Future Leaders Forum will also include engagement with Bermuda College, recognising its role as a gateway to higher education and career readiness for many Bermudians.

The forum will feature:

• Panel discussion: “Future leaders in risk — building skills for the next generation”

• Focus on educational pathways in risk and insurance: degree options, certifications and training routes

• Table talks with industry professionals: small-group mentoring and candid career conversations

• For more information, visit bda.bm or e-mail bermudarisk@bda.bm