2015 Bermuda:Re/insurance+ILS 25


industry today. In order to help foster the next generation of women, Gibbons frequently mentors up-and-coming executives and works closely with the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies giving advice and guidance to students wanting to enter the insurance industry.


At Allied World she has built a large, profitable and diversified book


of business for Allied World Re under challenging market conditions. The book has been highly profitable and has generated a substantial return on equity.


Why did you choose to work in this industry initially? Tracey Gibbons


Job: Senior vice president, specialty reinsurance Company: Allied World Assurance Company Career path


2003—Senior vice president, specialty reinsurance, Allied World Assurance company 1999—Senior vice president, underwriting, Overseas Partners 1994—Vice president insurance, Highland Fidelity 1991—Manager of underwriting services, International Advisory Services


1989—Senior insurance officer, Johnson and Higgins 1986—Insurance manager, Freisenbruch—Meyer Insurance Services 1983—Sales and underwriting assistant, Lombard Continental Insurance


Tracey Gibbons is a highly respected senior underwriter and manager with over 31 years’ experience in multiple classes of business in the US, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Europe as well as extensive experience building profitable books of business and highly motivated and successful teams.


She is regarded as responsive, innovative and knowledgeable. Given


her broad based underwriting background (and having worked in many areas of the business across multiple lines), she has the ability to be creative and insightful in her approach to new business ideas or changes in the marketplace—looking for opportunities to understand risk and construct appropriate coverages in areas outside of the standard offerings. Her in-depth experience, wide-ranging perspective and willingness to think “outside of the box” make her the first call for brokers with unique challenges to address.


She’s also a role model for women in insurance everywhere, having


joined the industry when there were few women underwriters and fewer women in senior positions, her perseverance, hard work and accomplishments have paved the way for the women entering the


Having completed a joint BA (Hons) degree in Economics and Economic and Social History, I was looking for a career that would allow me to utilise the analytical and business skills that I had developed during my years at university. The world of insurance seemed to offer many areas where I could use these skills and on the surface seemed a lot sexier than a career in either law or accounting, which were the other areas I was considering at the time.


What has been the highlight of your career so far?


I joined Allied World 12 years ago when it was a fledgling company. To have seen it grow into the successful international company that it is today and to know that I played a meaningful part in that transformation gives me a great sense of satisfaction and achievement.


What has been the biggest challenge you have encountered?


When I first entered the industry in the early 1980s, it was very male dominated with a culture that did not lend itself well to the advancement of women. The industry was outdated in its outlook and the way it approached the day to day transaction of business. It was also a time of tremendous change in the way business was conducted and in overall attitudes. However, this landscape offered many opportunities for those who were willing to work hard, apply and promote themselves. .


If you had chosen a different profession/career path, what would it have been?


I never thought I would spend my whole career in insurance, but it’s been challenging, thought provoking and more interesting than I had ever anticipated. I’m a big believer that you end up exactly where you belong and, given the trajectory of my career, I can say confidently that was the case for me. ■


“I never thought I would spend my whole career in insurance, but it’s been challenging, thought provoking and more interesting than I had ever anticipated.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55