‘Always exciting to see positive results’

Business Bermuda concluded the last of its luncheon seminars. Cheryl Packwood, CEO of Business Bermuda, said she has been pleased with the involvement feedback and commitment over the last three years.

“It has been our pleasure to provide this service, and it is always exciting for us to see the positive results of our efforts.”

Business Bermuda, along with the Insurance Development Council and other groups, will be merged into the Business Development Corporation.

The interim board of the BDC consists of Caroline Foulger (partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and interim chair of the BBDC); David Cash (CEO of Endurance and the chairman of Business Bermuda); Allison Towlson (COO, ACE Bermuda and the chair of the IDC); Shaun Morris (general counsel at Butterfield Group); Steve Castree (CEO of Equinoxe); and Travis Gilbert (Director of International Business in the Ministry of Business Development and Tourism).

Over the past three years, 20 to over 100 people have gathered every month to learn, discuss, and of course, eat.  Business Bermuda has provided educational experiences ranging from planning for retirement to making the most of home equity to learning more about Islamic Finance. Many have found life-altering challenges and advice at these events.

A spokesperson said the seminars have also celebrated the history of black enterprise in Bermuda’s history, prepared students to go after their dream jobs, and encouraged local entrepreneurs.

Portfolio

Business Bermuda’s mandate to not only spread the Bermuda message abroad but also facilitate awareness of the impact of the international business sector locally has been carried out through these seminars.

The last of the luncheon seminars was The Biggest Driver of Your Investment Portfolio, presented by Lola Myshketa, senior wealth advisor at Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited. 

Ms. Myshketa discussed the state of the global economy and what it means for investors and those looking to begin investing. She encouraged the group to be proactive about their investments: “Speak to more than one person about your investment portfolio just as you would get a second opinion from a doctor regarding an illness. Diversify! Spreading your money around reduces risk should one option lose value.

“Also, do not forget about inflation. If you have the same amount of money that you invested available after several years, you have lost money due to the power of inflation.”