Reimagining Risk: Previewing the 2025 Bermuda Captive Conference

Editor's Note: We caught up with the organizers of the Bermuda Captive Conference ahead of its 21st edition, set for June 9–11 at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. Under the theme "Reimagining Risk: The Next Frontier," this year's event promises to explore how captives can adapt to economic pressures, climate risks, and technological disruptions. We asked Séadna Kirwan, managing director at Aon Bermuda and chair of the Bermuda Captive Conference, about the key themes, innovations, and expectations shaping this year's agenda.

The 2025 theme focuses on "reimagining risk." How does this reflect the evolving challenges and opportunities in the captive insurance landscape, and what specific topics will the conference address under this theme?

Reimagining risk reflects the mindset shift we're seeing across the entire risk landscape, from how organizations define risk to how they respond to it with agility, creativity, and long-term vision. Captives have always been about innovation and control, but the pace of change today, from climate volatility to cyber vulnerabilities, is accelerating the need to think differently.

This year's agenda reflects that shift, with sessions that examine emerging risk classes, evolving regulatory expectations, and strategic structures for navigating uncertainty. We're addressing everything from geopolitical risk and [environmental, social, and governance] to data-driven risk modeling, portfolio optimization, and the changing demands of global insurance buyers. It's a future-facing agenda but rooted in real solutions that captives are leveraging today.

With sessions on artificial intelligence (AI) and parametric solutions, how do you see technology influencing the future of captive insurance, and what role will these innovations play in bridging protection gaps?

Technology is transforming insurance at every level—and captives are well-positioned to be at the forefront. AI is already improving underwriting, claims triage, and risk analytics, which directly enhances the value proposition of a captive. Parametric solutions are also becoming more accessible and precise, especially in underinsured areas like climate or business interruption where traditional triggers fall short.

At this year's conference, we're digging into how these tools are not just efficiencies—they're enablers. They allow captives to respond to protection gaps that commercial markets either can't or won't cover, and they create new ways to structure, measure, and price risk. You'll hear from innovators who are implementing these technologies right now, bringing real case studies to the conversation.

Given Bermuda's reputation for a robust regulatory framework, what recent regulatory shifts are most impactful for captives, and how will the conference sessions address these changes?

Bermuda's regulatory environment remains one of our strongest assets: adaptive, transparent, and designed with the nuances of captive business in mind. Recent developments, such as refinements around solvency requirements, digital compliance, and economic substance updates, are all part of a broader movement to balance innovation with oversight.

At the conference, you'll see sessions that speak directly to these issues, including updates from the Bermuda Monetary Authority and legal experts on what these shifts mean in practice. We're also taking a global view, looking at how other jurisdictions are evolving and how Bermuda continues to lead with clarity and credibility in the captive space.

The agenda includes discussions on Latin America's (LATAM's) dynamic market. What strategies are in place to engage international participants, and how does the conference cater to the needs of a global audience?

Latin America continues to be a target growth market for Bermuda, with interest from family offices, corporates, and advisers looking for flexible, strategic risk solutions. This year, we're proud to feature a dedicated session that dives into the specific opportunities within the region, from the appeal of rent-a-captive structures to the broader role of captives in supporting intergenerational wealth transfer and risk diversification.

Bermuda's long-standing relationships across the LATAM market, paired with its reputation for regulatory excellence and innovative structures, make it a natural partner for this growing market.

More broadly, the conference and the jurisdiction as a whole remain a truly international platform. From panelists and case studies to networking opportunities and jurisdictional comparisons, we're committed to ensuring the Bermuda Captive Conference delivers value for attendees across global markets, not just traditional strongholds.

As the conference returns to its June schedule and celebrates over 2 decades of success, what new elements or formats have been introduced this year to enhance attendee experience and knowledge sharing?

Returning to June has allowed us to reconnect with the rhythm of Bermuda's conference calendar and international travel schedules—and we're marking the occasion with a few fresh additions.

Firstly, we've expanded the agenda back to 3 days, reintroducing Monday afternoon sessions along with a closed-door, limited capacity captive owners lunch, a dedicated opportunity for captive owner peers to connect and share insights in a private setting.

We've also placed greater emphasis on the power of in-person engagement, expanding our networking framework to include extended power breakfasts, longer lunches, and lengthier breaks designed to foster deeper conversations and relationship-building throughout the event.

We're also proud to announce the launch of a new internship program, developed in partnership with KPMG in Bermuda and the Bermuda Captive Network, aimed at nurturing local talent and building meaningful pathways into Bermuda's dynamic captive insurance sector.

Socially, the conference will once again make the most of its island setting with the return of the highly anticipated Beach Bash, sponsored by Aon. Attendees can look forward to being back on the sand at Sinky Bay, Bermuda's premier beachfront venue, to celebrate the close of 3 impactful days. It's the perfect way to unwind, reflect, and toast to the strength and future of the captive industry.

After more than 20 years, our goal remains the same: to provide a space where knowledge flows, partnerships are formed, and Bermuda's captive community continues to thrive on the world stage.

Mr. Kirwan is pictured above. (Photo courtesy of Bermuda Captive Network.)