Premier Praises Outgoing ABIC Chairman
The contributions of David Ezekiel to growing Bermuda’s economy and working to enhance the island’s international reputation as the domicile of choice for off-shore companies were praised yesterday by the Premier.
In a statement issued yesterday [Nov 16] to mark Mr. Ezekiel’s retirement as chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies, Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox said the business leader had always endeavoured to forge a respectful and mutually beneficial partnership between the private sector and Government.
Mr. Ezekiel is the founder of International Advisory Services, a Bermuda firm which is now the world’s largest independent captive insurance management company. Before establishing IAS in April, 1981 he was a partner at one of the top Bermuda accounting companies, Moore, Stephens and Butterfield (then the Bermuda arm of KPMG). A recognised leader in the local and international insurance fields, in 2004 Mr. Ezekiel was named Insurance Leader of the Year by the Bermuda Insurance Institute.
Mr. Ezekiel’s place as ABIC chairman is being filled by Bermudian George Hutchings, senior vice-president and chief operating officer of the locally-based Oil Insurance Ltd.
The Premier’s full remarks follow:
David Ezekiel understands that success breeds success. When Bermuda does well, business does well. He appreciates that and has consistently spoken to the sustainability of Bermuda as a preferred domicile.
During the course of his tenure what I have found especially remarkable is that even when we may have had differing perspectives, he has been loyal in upholding the success of the Bermuda model globally. That reflects maturity and a sensitivity. That is what I look forward to seeing more of as we seek the New Normal in our public-private sector dealings.
As a business leader he has distinguished himself over the course of his insurance career in Bermuda. He was elected Chairman of the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce in 1989, and in 2001 led the ICD team that founded the Association of Bermuda International Companies, ABIC, to be the voice of International Business in Bermuda. Over the past 11 years as chairman of ABIC, David Ezekiel has been a spokesman for ABIC and has worked tirelessly.
He has been forthright with his advice to private sector stakeholders and has participated in the International Business Forum and been vocal in his views on immigration and the symbiotic relationship with international business.
Throughout his tenure as a business leader and Chairman of ABIC, he has worked to promote Bermuda’s continued position as a preferred domicile.
He founded International Advisory Services and developed that company to be the largest independent captive insurance manager in Bermuda. Last year Marsh acquired IAS and David was appointed as Chairman of Marsh Management in Bermuda. In recognition of his distinguished career and leadership of IAS and ABIC David was awarded the Bermuda Insurance Institute 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award by a committee of his peers.
I wish David well in his retirement from ABIC and trust that he will continue to promote Bermuda as a domicile of choice for international business.
Warm Regards,
