Influential Women in Hamilton: Flavia Doyle
There’s never been a better time to be a woman in this industry, says Aspen Bermuda CRO.
Flavia Doyle is chief risk officer for Aspen Bermuda (ABL) and head of capital management for Aspen Group. Doyle acts as principal representative of ABL and Aspen Group and is a member of ABL’s executive committee.
Give us a snapshot of your career to date.
I began as an associate at PwC in London in 1997, later promoted to manager after qualifying as an associate chartered accountant.
The insurance industry appealed, offering a chance to invest in a single business for continuity and long-term impact. By chance, a secondee from Bermuda (my future husband) arrived in the office, talking of sunny beaches and five-minute commutes. In 2005, we moved to Bermuda, where I joined Aspen.
I started as manager of internal reporting and held various roles in finance before transitioning to our new capital management department in 2020, and recently took on a dual role in our risk function, managing capital structure.
What attracted you to re/insurance?
After graduating with an English Literature degree, I realised I wanted security in the form of an accounting qualification. I landed in PwC London Audit’s insurance division, but stayed in insurance for many reasons.
I enjoy the challenge of managing capital and risk across a shifting landscape, and I find the combination of analytical depth and strategic impact rewarding.
Who inspired you or acted as a mentor in your career?
At PwC, one London partner saw my potential and invested time to help me grow, despite my having more enthusiasm than experience!
Later, Mark Pickering, Aspen Group CFO & treasurer, showed me that managing is about creating an environment where collaboration and support are the norm. I learned that real influence comes from cultivating trust and empowering others.
“I learned that real influence comes from cultivating trust and empowering others.”
What are your ambitions?
I want to drive change, expand my impact and empower high-performing teams.
Work-life balance remains a key focus. It's an ongoing effort to focus on what matters.
Do you feel that the industry has made progress in terms of diversity and inclusion since you entered it?
Great strides have been made. I love to see the breadth of backgrounds and perspectives at Aspen and in the industry today. D&I is now seen as a universal principle and has become an embedded cultural mindset. It drives better business outcomes by fuelling innovation, improving decision-making and attracting top talent.
Is there anything you would like to improve or change?
I’d like to see broader leadership opportunities. Many companies have built diverse pipelines at entry level, but it doesn’t translate to top tiers.
What challenges have you encountered in your career and how have you overcome them?
Balancing a demanding career while raising a family has been challenging. I often felt I was falling short and learned the hard way that you can’t be a perfect parent while delivering flawlessly at work.
Aspen’s flexibility, including supporting various part-time roles, made a real difference, giving me space to focus on what mattered while contributing meaningfully.
The hardest part was letting go of the guilt and accepting that I was doing enough.
What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment so far?
My career has been a purposeful, sustained journey rather than a collection of headline accomplishments. I’m proud of my consistent progress and professional growth. That said, I’m especially proud to have been part of Aspen’s journey and the success of our IPO in May.
Would you encourage other women to consider this sector?
Absolutely. The sector offers many roles and growth opportunities; there’s never been a better time to be a woman in this industry. The landscape is evolving with more visible leaders, stronger support networks and a growing commitment to equity.
Why is this industry great to work in?
It’s a great place to build a career with diverse paths spanning quantitative, strategic and client-facing roles. It’s more agile than banking and more forward-looking than it’s given credit.
Why is Bermuda a great place to be?
Bermuda combines quality of life with an enjoyable, high-impact career. It’s a close-knit community ideal for raising a family, with stunning surroundings and a pace that encourages balance.
Professionally, Bermuda is a melting pot of talent, innovation and big ideas, delivering outsized impact for such a small spot on the map.
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