Inside the Deal

In this episode of Inside the Deal, host Helen Souza discusses the importance of talent development and mentorship in Bermuda's workforce with guests Victoria Cunningham and Naphisa Smith. Victoria, an opposition senator and executive director of BFIS, explains how the organization supports students by providing scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Naphisa shares her journey from studying music and environmental science to becoming a claims analyst, highlighting how diverse backgrounds are now sought after in the industry. The discussion also touches on the potential impact of AI and the evolving skills employers are looking for in the market.

Inside the Deal is a podcast powered by Exordium, a Bermuda-based business development consulting company. Each episode takes listeners inside the world of Bermuda business—from re/insurance and finance to innovation, regulation, and entrepreneurship. Through candid conversations with leaders, experts, and changemakers, Inside the Deal explores the strategies, stories, and shifts shaping one of the world’s most dynamic business environments. In this trailer episode, get to know the Exordium team, learn what we do, hear about our upcoming event Women Mean Business: Level Up, and get a sneak peek at the bold topics we’ll be diving into in future episodes.Whether you're an industry insider or just curious about what’s happening on the ground, this podcast brings you real talk and fresh insight—straight from the source.

In this episode of Inside the Deal, host Helen Souza sits down with InEvo Re's Chief Risk Officer, Andrew Sooboodoo to unpack Oliver Wyman’s recent report examining whether Bermuda’s long-term (re)insurance sector, home to over a $1 trillion in life reserves, poses systemic risk to the global financial system.From stress-test scenarios like credit crises and asset fire sales to the growing influence of private equity ownership, this conversation offers a clear-eyed view of Bermuda’s role as an innovation hub and financial powerhouse. Helen and Andrew explore the island’s regulatory resilience, future challenges, and why global markets continue to look to Bermuda as a trusted jurisdiction.

In this episode of Inside the Deal, we sit down with Mervyn Skeet, CEO of Bermuda's newly formed Corporate Income Tax Agency (CITA), to unpack Bermuda's corporate income tax: what it is, what it’s not, and what it means for the island’s global insurance and reinsurance players. From myths and misunderstandings to strategic implications, this discussion offers clarity on one of the most talked-about developments shaping Bermuda’s position in the global financial services market. Whether you're a CEO, CFO, underwriter, or policymaker, this conversation offers practical insight and real-world perspective.

In this episode of Inside the Deal, we sit down with Martin Wiggins, Founder and CEO of Brandformula, as he shares his unexpected journey from insurance broker to brand strategist. Martin unpacks what inspired his leap into marketing, the value of storytelling in a risk-based industry, and why brand is a strategic asset and not just a logo.We explore the critical differences between a rebrand and a brand refresh, and why getting it right matters more than ever in today’s digital-first world. If you work in re/insurance and want to stay relevant in a competitive, global market, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

In this episode of Inside the Deal, we speak with Anirudha Balasubramanian, founder of Tailshift, whose journey from commodities trading to a PhD in market design now fuels a bold reimagining of casualty risk transfer. We dive into Tailshift’s experience in Lloyd’s Lab Cohort 14, their growing footprint in Bermuda across captives, program (re)insurers, and legacy acquirers, and how they’re using AI to bring clarity, speed, and structure to an often opaque market. 

In this episode of Inside the Deal, we sit down with Suzanne Williams-Charles, CEO of Bermuda International Long Term Insurers and Reinsurers (BILTIR), to explore the growing impact and global relevance of Bermuda’s long-term insurance and reinsurance sector. Suzanne shares insights on how BILTIR is advocating for the industry, supporting regulatory engagement, and building awareness of the island’s unique strengths in life, annuity, and retirement risk.Additionally, we discuss key trends shaping the long-term space, the importance of local talent development, and how Bermuda is positioning itself as a forward-looking hub in an evolving global risk environment. Whether you're new to the life and annuity sector or a seasoned player, this conversation offers a sharp look at what’s ahead for Bermuda and BILTIR.

In this episode of Inside the Deal, we sit down with Greg Zarin, founder of Subrosmart, to unpack the often-overlooked world of subrogation and how his firm turned a niche legal service into a global operation. Greg shares the story behind Subrosmart’s humble beginnings and its impressive growth to over 60 team members across three offices, working with more than 40 insurance carriers in the London market.We dive into the mechanics of subrogation, what makes it so critical in today’s claims environment, and how Subrosmart continues to innovate while building lasting partnerships with insurers around the world. It’s a conversation full of practical insights, entrepreneurial grit, and global perspective.

In our final episode of Inside the Deal live from the Bermuda Captive Conference, we wrapped up the week with an insightful and diverse panel of guests who each brought a unique lens to the captive insurance conversation.Carolyn Fahey, Executive Director of AIROC, kicked things off with a discussion on exit strategies for captives, what options are out there, how to plan ahead, and why it's becoming a more prominent topic in today's evolving market.Chiara Nannini of Conyers provided a legal perspective on the changing dynamics in Bermuda’s regulatory landscape and what global clients are looking for when choosing Bermuda as a domicile.Founder of PRP Performa, Hugh Barit, shared a fascinating investor's view into managing captive assets, how the firm has grown in tandem with the Bermuda captive space, and the factors shaping investment decisions today.And finally, Christian Dunleavy, Group President of Aspen Insurance, offered a re/insurer’s take on Bermuda’s strategic position globally, the opportunities for innovation, and Aspen’s ongoing commitment to the market.Each guest shared insights from their area of expertise, their thoughts on Bermuda’s value and of course, their favorite local drink. A perfect close to an insightful week!

Part 1: The final day of Inside the Deal coverage, Kevin Yousif of Yousif Capital Management shared insights on risk financing, capital efficiency, and how captives are adapting to macroeconomic pressures and evolving regulatory demands. He also reflected on Bermuda’s enduring relevance in the global captive market and where strategic focus should lie going forward.Later, we sat down with Tanja Korff of Marsh to explore key takeaways from the past two days, including the shifting needs of captive owners, the emergence of new risk themes, and how managers are helping clients navigate change. Our conversation closed with a forward-looking discussion on talent development and innovation as Marsh helps future-proof the next generation of risk leaders.

Day two of the Bermuda Captive Conference shifted focus to the traditional strengths of the captive insurance model, with insights from Mia Smallman of Halliburton on global risk management, Pierrick Livet of KPMG on the essential role of fronting arrangements, and Maria Angeles Riela on the growing LATAM market. A consistent theme across conversations was the critical importance of trusted relationships, operational efficiency, and continued market education. As captives evolve, connectivity between stakeholders remains vital in navigating complex, multinational programs.

In our opening session, we spoke with Seadna Kirwan, Chair of the Bermuda Captive Conference, and Rachel Derry, Chair of the Bermuda Captive Network’s Education Committee, to explore the renewed momentum behind Bermuda’s captive ecosystem. Discussions centered on the growth and strategic refocus of the Bermuda Captive Network, with an emphasis on collaboration, advocacy, and industry alignment. The Education Committee is actively developing future-proofing initiatives to attract, train, and retain top local and global talent, ensuring Bermuda remains a world leader in captive insurance for years to come.

In this special episode of Inside the Deal, we sit down with Jenny Campbell, former banker, successful entrepreneur, and Dragons’ Den investor ahead of her keynote at the Women Mean Business: Level Up event in Bermuda.Jenny shares her incredible journey from leaving school at 16, to building a 30+ year career in banking, before leading a management buyout and turning around an ATM business that she later sold for millions. We dive into the pivotal moments that defined her path, including her bold decisions, leadership philosophy, and her time on Dragons’ Den. Jenny also offers the best career advice she’s ever received and why resilience, calculated risk, and authenticity matter more than ever in business and life.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their own journey, whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or building something of your own.

In this episode of Inside the Deal, we sit down with Steph Brown, one of Bermuda’s most trusted voices in recruitment. With over 13 years of experience hiring on the island, she’s seen first-hand the effects of the 2009 Global Financial Crisis through to the recent global Pandemic, Steph shares sharp insights into the island’s evolving talent landscape—what’s working, what needs to change, and why attracting and retaining the right people is critical to Bermuda’s competitiveness.Steph shares lessons from her Bermuda Job Happiness Survey and discusses how employers can future-proof their workforce—and what job seekers are really looking for in today’s market.Whether you're a hiring manager, a candidate, or just curious about what’s driving Bermuda’s business engine, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and honest reflections from the front lines of talent.

In this episode, Steve Weinstein delves into his journey from the Bermuda reinsurance market to founding Mangrove Property Insurance in Florida. Beginning with the significant impact and evolution of the market since Hurricane Andrew, Steve discusses the evolving challenges in Florida's homeowners' insurance market due to both persistent fraud and natural hazards. He emphasizes key, recent legislative reforms that addressed Florida's fraud challenges, highlighting Mangrove's mission to fill critical protection gaps. Through resilient strategies and collaborative bonds with the reinsurance market, Mangrove aims to help stabilize Florida's insurance landscape and provide robust coverage for homeowners against its peak peril: windstorms.

James Robinson, founder of Cactus, shares his unexpected journey into the insurance industry on the Inside the Deal podcast. Originally aiming to develop an AI system for food and fitness, Robinson pivoted Cactus towards insurance, creating the underwriter workbench 'Marmalade'. He discusses the strategic advantages gained during their initial project phase due to clients' garden leaves, the role of Lloyd's Lab cohort in refining their approach, and how Cactus became a bridge between the Bermuda and London markets. His insights reveal the complementary nature of these two global insurance hubs rather than a competitive divide.