2015 48 Bermuda:Re/insurance+ILS


you embrace it, the sooner you can help to be a part of shaping the change.


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


I would have been a writer. ■


Michelle Seymour-Smith


Job: Chief financial officer Company: Arch Re Career path


2011—Chief financial officer, Arch Re 2004—Vice president, controller, Arch Re 2002—Vice president, consolidations & reporting, XL Capital


As CFO, Michelle Seymour-Smith oversees all financial operations of Arch Re. She joined Arch in 2004 as vice-president, controller and has more than 15 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry.


Before joining Arch Re, Seymour-Smith was with XL. She


received a Bachelor’s degree from Dalhousie University and is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bermuda.


Why did you choose to work in this industry initially?


At the time I was trying to decide what to do, it was a very dynamic and growing industry. Ace, XL and RenRe were big names at home and doing exciting things and there were lots of opportunities, especially for young Bermudians willing to work hard.


What has been the highlight of your career so far?


A career is built on many achievements and there are several of which I am really proud. If I had to sum them up I would say that the highlight is always getting the “impossible” done—whether it’s an acquisition, a new location, a new system or new regulations— getting those key, deadline-driven projects done with little or no resources. There are several instances of this in my career and I’m proud of all of them.


What has been the biggest challenge you have encountered?


Resistance to change. I’m guilty of this myself on occasion. I’ve learned change is coming one way or the other and the sooner


“A career is built on many achievements and there are several of which I am really proud.”


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