BILTIR shows commitment to young talent

Bermuda International Long Term Insurers and Reinsurers (BILTIR) has announced its support for Kiara Burcher in her pursuit of a career in the Bermuda life re/insurance industry with the award of a $30,000 scholarship towards her university studies, as facilitated through the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC) Education Awards Programme.

BILTIR has announced a record number of Bermudan students are taking part in a summer intern programme at companies from among its members. It held a careers event at Warwick Academy in Bermuda to highlight job opportunities in the Island’s life insurance industry. Owing to COVID-19 restrictions, this was the first time BILTIR had held an in-person careers event in two years.

BILTIR, which was launched in 2011, represents 68 life re/insurance and supporting service businesses. Member companies employ more than 600 people on the Island.

Burcher, a former Bermuda High School for Girls student, is studying for a BSc in mathematics and computer science at Western University in Ontario, Canada. She is spending this summer as a paid intern with BILTIR member company Athene.

“I am very thankful for being a recipient of the BILTIR/ABIC education award,” Burcher said. “I have always had a love and passion for my studies, and I am grateful for the help that I am given. I have made a small beginning mark in the insurance sector and am excited to see what my future holds with BILTIR and life insurance in Bermuda.”

Martin Laframboise, BILTIR executive director, added: “BILTIR is delighted to be able to support Kiara at the beginning of her journey into a career in the life re/insurance industry in Bermuda. Part of BILTIR’s mission is to encourage talented young Bermudans to join our industry, and we look forward to welcoming Kiara into our sector when she completes her studies.”

The BILTIR education award, which covers a two-year period, is open to Bermudan students with an interest in the life insurance sector who are taking part in BILTIR internships, and who are studying mathematics, insurance, actuarial, accounting or law.

Twenty-six students—including two based in the Cayman Islands—are joining BILTIR companies for 10 weeks of paid work throughout the summer to learn about all aspects of the life re/insurance industries. They will gain experience in a variety of potential careers, including accounting, legal, actuarial, claims, technology, and investment.

“We are delighted to welcome the largest number of students yet to the BILTIR internship programme,” said BILTIR chair Sylvia Oliveira. “One of BILTIR’s key priorities is to create jobs for Bermudans, and we hope that many of these talented young Bermudans will join BILTIR companies for an exciting and fulfilling career.”

The 14 BILTIR companies taking part this year are: Athene, Athora, Fortitude Re, Global Atlantic, Hannover Life Reassurance Co of America (Bda), Kuvare Re, Legal & General, Resolution Re, Pacific Life Re, Somerset Re, Wilton Re, Sun Life, 777 Re and EY.

This year’s BILTIR interns are: James Anderson (Cayman), Teresa Anderson (Cayman), Jahlika Berkeley, Kiara Burcher, Satiqua Butterfield-Wade, John Duncan (JD) Card, Jordan DeShields, Shontae DeSilva, Cameron de ste Croix, Amber Douglas, Alex Dowling, Indio Francis, Attiya Furquan, Dazhja Greaves, Euan Hill, Jaden Jernigan, Pria Lewis, Keneilla Morrison, Jude Moseley, LaTanya Outerbridge, Demetria Packwood, Donnauri Robinson, Zyhun Robinson, Tiara Simons, Tre Smith, and Leah Thompson.

More than 30 senior school students heard about the wide range of careers—including underwriting, claims, actuarial, accounting, and risk analysis—during presentations from members of BILTIR companies. The session was organised by BILTIR’s social committee, and the presenters were Matt McPhail of Fortitude Re, Kiara Somner of Global Atlantic Re, and Paolo Fiandesio of Resolution Life Re.

“It was inspiring to see the genuine interest the students have in the life reinsurance industry,” McPhail said. “I am excited for this next generation of talent to help further grow Bermuda’s life sector.”

Ralph Woods, head of sixth form at Warwick Academy, added: “It was great to have the opportunity for presenters to come into school again and for the students to find out what a variety of options are available for employment in the Bermuda workplace with insurance.

“It was good for the students to recognise that there is a variety of routes they can take to get into the profession.”

Laframboise said: “Raising the awareness of the sector’s job opportunities by providing education opportunities with schools is a key objective of BILTIR, and resuming our career fairs was an important goal to meet that objective.”