Bermuda (Re)insurers Announce $3.5 Million Donation to the Bermuda College Foundation

PEMBROKE, Bermuda – Monday, October 12 – Athora Holding Ltd. in addition to Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene”) (NYSE: ATH) and its reinsurance subsidiary, Athene Life Re. Ltd.(ALRe), Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited and Catalina Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd. announced a $3.5 million donation to the Bermuda College Foundation to create a Career Development Centre. Once established, the Centre and its programmes will help to enhance the Bermuda economy through increased access to workforce development and training, prometric certified assessment required for professional development and an expanded technology infrastructure that allows for research and development of innovative concepts. 

"This is an historic investment for Bermuda College and speaks volumes to the confidence the corporate community places in Bermuda’s students, in our local community and in the Island’s future,” said Dr. Duranda Greene, Bermuda College president. “Students and users of the Centre will be immersed in vital business trends, such as Fintech, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine-learning activities and more, using cutting-edge technology. We are deeply grateful for the largesse of our donors; and are especially indebted to the remarkable work of the Bermuda College Foundation on behalf of the College and its students"

The Career Development Centre will be open to Bermuda College students, faculty, staff and the community for a variety of purposes including testing and training services. It has the capacity to impact nearly 2,500 individuals per year through its programmes.

"Athene and our insurance colleagues in Bermuda are fully invested in doing all we can to bolster our economy and help Bermuda’s young people reach their full potential,” said Bill Wheeler, President of Athene Holding Ltd. “Athene’s donation to support the creation of the Career Development Centre builds on our deep commitment to education-based initiatives that are designed to help close educational gaps in our communities. The Centre will be an excellent resource for students and residents, and we are excited to watch it foster ideas and grow exceptional talent for many years to come."

"The realisation of the Career Development Centre is a major accomplishment for the Bermuda College Foundation, achieved by efforts of many, and is in harmony with Athora’s commitment to caring about the local communities in which we operate,” said Amy Ponnampalam CEO of Athora Life Re Ltd.  “We are delighted that Bermuda College is gaining a contemporary space that allows it to further its mission to provide the community with innovative programmes, training, support services and access to partnerships that lead to local and global success."

Strategic partnerships between the business community, residents and Bermuda College are key to sustaining Bermuda’s position as a global leader in the reinsurance industry.

"The Foundation Board is extremely grateful for this tremendous major gift which will help the Foundation fulfil its overall vision towards a state-of-the-art Bermuda College,” stated Bermuda College Foundation Deputy Chairman, Garry Madeiros. “The philanthropic partnership with Athene, Athora, Aspen and Catalina underscores the mission of the Foundation and the importance of ensuring the island’s only community college remains sustainable and able to meet the needs of our future workforce. Corporate and private donors are encouraged to donate to the Bermuda College Foundation as an investment in our College, our Bermuda, our future."

Construction on the building is expected to begin in early 2021 and is targeted for completion before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.