IRISH ALERIA

Irish Aleria’s current role is associate director, head of insurance and client accounting at Ocorian, where she manages Ocorian Management (Bermuda) and Ocorian Securities (Bermuda).

Aleria specialises in insurance management, accounting services, statutory reporting, principal representative services and listing sponsorship on the Bermuda Stock Exchange.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in accountancy and obtained her certified public accountant qualification in the Philippines, before starting her career with a big four firm as an external auditor. After three years in audit, for the next eight years, she took on different roles in finance and accounting functions in various companies in the Philippines and Malaysia.

In 2019, she joined Ocorian (then Estera) in Bermuda as an account manager to manage a portfolio of clients that included captive insurance companies.

After two years, she was promoted to associate director and a year after that, she had another promotion for the additional role of head of insurance & client accounting.

Aleria was described as the youngest member of Ocorian’s executive management committee in Bermuda and the team she leads is said to be recognised as one of the best performing individual teams in the Ocorian with several of her team members consistently winning performance awards. Her team manages a very challenging mix of captives, but also commercial insurers, ILS vehicles and insurance intermediaries.

She led the implementation of Ocorian’s flexible working policy in Bermuda and has been at the forefront of team building and training initiatives. She stepped up to help the Bermuda captives industry, volunteering to serve on the finance committee of the Bermuda Captive Network. Here she comments on how young people can start on the corporate ladder via a captive and why she feels that learning can be the key to future career development.

Do you feel that the captive insurance industry is a rewarding sector to work in?

Yes, in my almost five years working in the captive insurance industry, it is rewarding to know that we in the sector are helping companies to address their risk exposures and achieve their financial goals.

Would you recommend the captive insurance industry to young people as a future career path?

The captives industry provides multiple career paths, each with exciting and challenging prospects for young people. Opportunities include accounting, insurance management, underwriting, brokerage, actuarial work and so much more. There is progression available for those who want to ascend the corporate ladder, and many young people start off in one area in the captives industry and move to another. I would definitely recommend the captive insurance industry to young people as a future career path.

How do you feel that the captive insurance industry will evolve?

With several emerging risks and unforeseen events companies are exposed to and constraints on their resources, the captive insurance industry can provide innovative solutions. This includes customised insurance solutions that can help mitigate new risks, and close coverage gaps. The captives sector also allows easy access to the reinsurance markets.

Do you think that your long-term future remains in the captive insurance industry?

Yes, I hope so. In my five years in the industry, I have learned a lot, worked harder than I ever had and progressed my career. As the old saying goes “Once you stop learning, you start dying”. Learning excites me and keeps me moving. And there is so much more to learn and discover in this industry.

I’m currently completing an additional insurance designation: Associate in Reinsurance. As long as I’m learning and contributing to this industry, my future is here.