Building what’s next at Bermuda’s Risk Summit 2026
As the global risk community descends on the Hamilton Princess hotel and resort, the air in Bermuda is thick with more than just the Atlantic breeze; it is charged with the anticipation of an industry at a crossroads. The 2026 Business Development Agency Bermuda Risk Summit, taking place 9-11 March, arrives at a rebalancing moment for the market, and Bermuda:Re+ILS will be on the ground to capture every strategic shift.
Under the banner ‘Building what’s next’, this year’s summit signals a move from the diagnostic phase of recent years to one of active adaptation. After a prolonged period of hardening, the narrative has shifted. Record capital levels, with AM Best projected capacity to hit $540 billion in traditional reinsurance capital and $120 billion in ILS capital (reported January 2026), are meeting softening property rates, creating a tug-of-war between reinsurers and buyers.
Key themes to watch
The agenda reflects an industry grappling with uncertainty. Expect deep dives into the ‘Great rebalance,’ led by EY-Parthenon’s Greg Daco, who will explore how supply shocks and fragmented global demand are recalibrating fiscal strategies.
The integration of climate-related themes into the broader risk framework will be a highlight. Rather than siloed conversations, panels will examine how catastrophe resilience, wildfire and heat risks are directly influencing capital deployment. Bermuda:Re+ILS will also be watching the CEO intersections closely, notably the session ‘The state of reinsurance: balancing risk, returns and resilience’ featuring leaders from the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR), Arch Re, Ariel Re and Hiscox Re, as they discuss maintaining underwriting discipline amid geopolitical volatility and inflationary pressures.
Further, the 2026 agenda marks a turning point for AI, moving beyond generative hype to focus on auditability and data hygiene in underwriting. The real story will be how these technologies can strengthen, not compete with, the underwriter’s role.
The Bermuda edge
Beyond the technical sessions, the summit serves as a reminder of why the 21-square-mile island remains the world’s risk capital. From the rise of private credit and asset-intensive reinsurance to the continued dominance of the Bermuda Stock Exchange in catastrophe bond listings, Bermuda’s agility is its greatest asset. The presence of global regulators alongside C-suite executives underscores the island’s role as a stable, transparent hub for innovation.
Live coverage and interviews
Throughout the week, our newsletter will provide live coverage and exclusive interviews with thought leaders shaping the next phase of global growth. We will be asking the hard questions: Is the influx of alternative capital a stabiliser or a disrupter? How will AI move from a productivity tool to a core underwriting engine? What does the future role of the broker look like?
Stay tuned.
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