The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club announced their 2025 Honourees for its annual Black History Month Celebration will be Bermudians Catherine R. Duffy and Patrick D. Tannock.
A spokesperson said, “”In this, the seventh year of the Black History Month Celebration, we will recognize the phenomenal achievements of both trailblazers in Bermuda’s [re]insurance industry. A celebratory cocktail reception and dinner will be held at 6:30pm on Friday, February 21st, in the hotel’s Princess Ballroom.”
Tim Morrison, General Manager, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, said, “Hamilton Princess & Beach Club are pleased to recognize Catherine Duffy and Patrick Tannock. This celebration is a beloved annual tradition at the hotel, where we will aim to honour Catherine and Patrick’s accomplishments in the [re]insurance market, and the importance of their contributions in our community.”
The spokesperson said, “During the celebratory evening, the honourees will speak about their accomplishments, career journeys, and current projects, among an audience of their loved ones, friends and the community. A special four-course menu was designed in collaboration with the honourees and the hotel’s culinary team.
“The Celebration Dinner will take place on Friday, February 21st, at 6:30pm, with tickets available via PTIX.bm. A portion of the proceeds from the Celebration Dinner, will go to the honourees’ charities of choice: Packwood Home [registered charity #10] and The Bermuda College Foundation, [registered charity #341].
Catherine R. Duffy & Patrick D. Tannock.
About The 2025 Honourees
- Catherine R. Duffy
“Catherine “Cathy” Rochelle Duffy was the first in her family to attend university, the first Bermudian woman Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, the first Black Bermudian International Women Forum Fellow, the first Black woman Fred Reiss Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, the first Bermudian Inclusion Champion Award Recipient, and the first woman to lead AIG Bermuda.
“Through the insurance industry, Catherine was exposed to large corporations on the cutting edge of products, services, and technology, which made her curious about how our world works. Fascinated by our interconnectedness, Catherine became a continuous learner who loves connecting the dots. This interest was piqued after she authored the first book about the History of International Insurance in Bermuda in 2003.
“Driven to give back to the community antiquated leadership tropes. She is also interested in building a program for Black women to step into their gifts, Catherine keeps abreast of geopolitics, how our actions impact the world, philosophy, and debunking.
“After forty-plus years in the insurance industry, Catherine is now attending the Next Horizons Programme at Oxford University, Harris Manchester College, for six months.
- Patrick D. Tannock
“Patrick Tannock has been a leading advocate of Bermuda’s value proposition and a visible proponent of equity of opportunity in international business throughout his 40+year career in the international insurance/[re]insurance industry.
“Before his retirement in June 2024, he was the first Black Bermudian Chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies [ABIC] for close to 10 years and Chief Executive Officer of AXA XL’s Bermuda Insurance Operations [XLB] for 14 years. He was also President of the XL Foundation. Prior to joining XLB, he was Executive Vice President of ACE Bermuda [now Chubb] as well as Chief Underwriting Officer and Director of the company’s specialist directors & officers subsidiary Corporate Officers & Directors Assurance Ltd. [CODA]. He also held senior brokerage positions with Marsh & McLennan Bermuda.
“In 2011, he became the first Bermudian to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business.
“Mr. Tannock is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Fidelity International [FIL] Board, and chairman of the Remuneration Committee. He is also a member of the ABIC Board and the Association for Corporate Racial Equality [ACRE] Advisory Board.”