It’s time

Now that we can truly say that “hindsight is 2020”, I’d like to take a few moments to reflect not only on the year that was but also on my 22 year career with Appleby/Ocorian and the Bermuda Insurance industry.

I initially embarked on my legal journey in January 1999 as a trainee with Appleby. Along the way, I had a four month test drive in property, litigation and corporate and decided in 2000 that corporate was the lane I would remain in. I decided that the (re)insurance expressway was where it was all happening and thus shifted lanes later that year not recognizing at the time, that I was in for the ride of my life.

The decade which commenced in 2000 provided a curriculum of catastrophe, with numerous opportunities for introspection, collaboration and innovation. Countless lessons were learned from the catastrophe precipitating the “Class of 2001” that left an indelible and profound impact on those directly impacted and the insurance industry as a whole. Similarly the industry braced itself and provided critical capacity in response to the natural catastrophes ushering the “Class of 2005”. One irrefutable lesson of this period was surely Bermuda’s significance as an unparalleled partner in providing world class reinsurance solutions in response to severe perils aptly supported by equally world class regulators, lawyers, service providers and professionals. The history books bear witness to Bermuda’s excellence in this regard.

Wanting to ensure that message of the “Bermuda solution” reached the world, I was an engaged member of Team Bermuda, travelling as far south as Argentina and participating in many meetings, conferences and panels with our UK, US, Canadian and LATAM partners and prospects. We were fortunate, as the industry constantly created new and wonderful products and asset classes for us to speak about. As valuable as the experience, were the deep and meaningful relationships with colleagues and key industry stakeholders which I was able to forge, many of whom I now embrace as dear family/friends!

Strictly speaking, my legal practice journey ceased some five years ago, following my transition from Appleby. The move was calculated to ensure that I remain in the industry and take care of our clients. I was fortunate to continue by serving on numerous boards, strategizing and analyzing how to get through the hards, softs and “it just doesn’t exist yet” of the market.

The advent of 2020 promised the unknown and although I sensed it was going to be different, I have to admit, my Richter scale was way off! A singular thought served as my roadmap for the year however: “Neither be complacent with your time nor careless with your words.” My interpretation: move with immediacy when prompted, take nothing or no one for granted and be purposeful with your words; understanding that you can build up, or tear down. Following that roadmap to the letter benefitted me greatly.

Time doesn’t permit me to share all of the happenings in that year which illustrated how little control of time I had or how happy I was that I said the words that I did to those I cared about when I had the time. I decided in 2020 that it was time to pause and pivot, spend some time with my loved ones and assess my ride on the expressway. So, on 31 December 2020, I charted a different course, shifted gears and pulled off.

While it is difficult to envisage a future that does not include a career in this innovative, resilient, and dynamic industry with great people to boot, I know not what the future holds and remain open to embracing all possibilities.

So while I have the time and the platform, and while you are present and able to “hear” me, I say THANK YOU to all former colleagues, clients, regulatory staff, government officials (past and present) and industry participants with whom I have had the privilege of working and/or interacting with. My sentiments can be summed up in the words of a song that I penned on 29 December 2020 which was inspired by and dedicated to all referenced and is set out below.

Sidebar- Would you believe that I discovered my songwriting abilities in 2020 and have composed and am the executive producer of my first song Stand Still? The song was pre- released in Bermuda on 31 December 2020 and will be officially launched in March 2021!

2021 is a new year and I’ve entered it with a renewed mind, renewed hope and with active optimism about the opportunities that will come my way. My sincerest hope is that we will each use our time and words intentionally and meaningfully as am I with this post.