CaribPR Wire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CaribPR Wire, TORTOLA, BVI, November 17, 2016 – COSME, an European Union funded programme and key supporter of entrepreneurs in the Caribbean region, is proud to announce its three finalists in their Confessions of an Entrepreneur contest.  The three finalists are: Libbie Oliver, Owner of Caribbean Mountain Coffee, British Virgin Islands, Cristal Legrand of SSSAS Tourism Ambassador in Sint Maarten and Madhavi Mathura of Accounting & Enterprise Solutions in Cayman Islands.  These finalists were able to deliver a short, well-articulated message about being an Entrepreneur. The contest was open to all entrepreneurs in the 12 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT’s): Anguilla, Aruba, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barthelemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos.

The three videos have been posted on Facebook with voting boxes. The final winner will be selected by the public through online voting, which can be done here or at  http://bit.ly/COSMEVideo. The video with the most votes by midnight November 20^th, 2016 will win a HD Kindle Fire.

Ms. Oliver of Caribbean Mountain Coffee focused on the need for passion and how it will carry you through in a well-crafted message that tied into her own passion for coffee. Ms. Legrand of SSSAS Tourism is a brand new entrepreneur that was bubbling with enthusiasm and commitment for her upcoming opening.  Ms. Mathura of Accounting & Enterprise Solutions was clear about her dream and the need to just make a start or nothing can happen. All videos presented excellent messages.

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week VI initiatives, COSME adopted the Confessions of an Entrepreneur series in its efforts to learn more and share more stories from entrepreneurs in the Overseas Territories.  This contest generated awareness and coordinated with a number of Entrepreneur activities taking place during Global Entrepreneur week, November to 14 – 20, 2016.

“The Confessions of an Entrepreneur contest enables COSME to show its support through results driven social media in profiling these successful entrepreneurs. This contest demonstrates that social media implemented in addition to traditional channels is an effective tool that OCT entrepreneurs can use to create awareness for their businesses in and beyond their country borders. During the video submission week COSME received over 30,000 visits,” stated, Diana Hendrickson-Fleming, COSME, Key Expert.

The public will choose which of the three entrepreneurs’ videos at http://bit.ly/COSMEVideo has the best Confession. Join in on the fun and cast your vote.  Voting will close November 20, 2016.

ABOUT COSME

COSME is a 54-month programme with the responsibility to disperse 15M Euros to projects benefiting participating Caribbean Territories. The funds were made available by the European Union (EU). The programme’s overall objective is to contribute to the sustainable and climate-resilient economic diversification and prosperity of Caribbean OCTs by improving the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the participating territories.

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Media Contact:

Samuel K. Kruiner

Private Sector Development Expert/SME Expert (British OCTs)

Caribbean OCTs SME (COSME) Programme SME Regional Project Office

Email: [email protected]

SME Regional Project Office

Road Town

Tortola

British Virgin Islands

www.cosmeprogramme.org

www.facebook.com/cosmeprogramme

Click Here for More Information »

David Brown appointed as Senior Partner in Bermuda and Regional Insurance Leader and Jessel Mendes named Regional Growth Markets Leader

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ernst & Young Ltd. today announced two leadership changes. David Brown will become the firm’s Senior Partner in Bermuda and Insurance Leader for the EY Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands region, replacing Pete Cangany, who will retire from EY after 37 years with the organization. This transition will take effect on July 1, 2017, and Cangany will remain in the role until that time. Effective immediately, Jessel Mendes will assume the new role of Regional Growth Markets Leader, in addition to his current responsibilities as Partner of Ernst & Young Ltd. (EY Bermuda).

Brown most recently served as the Insurance Industry leader for the Southwest Region of Ernst & Young LLP in the US and directed the Southwest Region FSO Assurance practice. He has more than 27 years of experience working with large multinational clients, including insurance companies with global operations, US domestic insurance enterprises and Bermuda-based global reinsurance companies. Cangany has served as Senior Bermuda Partner since July 2014, and has been regional Insurance Leader since January 2013.

“Under Pete’s leadership, we have been able to build a high-performing team in Bermuda, enhance our relationships with stakeholders across the market and expand our range of services and expertise,” said Dan Scott, Regional Managing Partner for the EY region including Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. “We are very excited to have David assume this role and contribute to our legacy of leadership. His deep insurance and reinsurance experience, coupled with his knowledge of the market, will allow us to bring even more global resources to our Bermuda clients and help them capitalize on new opportunities. We are pleased to have Pete remain in the role through the end of June to provide guidance and assist in the transition process.”

In taking on the new role of Growth Markets Leader for the region, Jessel Mendes will be adding to his current responsibilities as EY Bermuda Partner. In addition to continuing to interact with EY Bermuda clients and other market stakeholders, as Growth Markets Leader he will focus on driving growth for EY firms across the region, maintaining a pulse on the market, overseeing the growth of EY service offerings, programs and initiatives, and determining how resources and capabilities can be best deployed to benefit clients. Mendes, who is a member of the board of the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), will also leverage his extensive network of relationships to uncover new opportunities and help EY Bermuda and the region’s other firms build on their market position.

“We are positioned for the next phase of growth in Bermuda and across the region, so the timing for these changes is ideal,” added Scott. “We have been working diligently with Pete, David and our clients to lay the groundwork for a smooth transition. David has a deep understanding of the challenges organizations are facing and great insurance industry knowledge, so he was a natural choice to lead our Bermuda practice. With Jessel taking on a new role, we now have a great opportunity to serve our clients’ rapidly-evolving needs and accelerate growth.”

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young Ltd., Bermuda, a member of the global EY organization serving clients in Bermuda.

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RICHMOND, Virginia, LONDON and HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Markel Corporation (”Markel”) (NYSE: MKL) and CATCo Investment Management Ltd. (”CATCo”) jointly announced today the completion of the acquisition by Markel of substantially all of the assets of CATCo.

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The business, which provides collateralized protections to over 35 global reinsurance buyers, will now operate as Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. (”Markel CATCo”). Every member of the CATCo team, led by Chief Executive Officer Tony Belisle, has transferred to Markel CATCo.

Richard R. Whitt, President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Markel, commented, “We welcome Tony and the CATCo team into the Markel family. The reception by existing CATCo reinsurance buyers and investors to the newly established Markel platform has been overwhelmingly positive. We truly will be hitting the ground running.”  Whitt further remarked, “Joining CATCo’s insurance linked investment management capabilities alongside Markel’s traditional reinsurance capabilities should make for a powerful combination.”

Tony Belisle, Chief Executive Officer of Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd., said, ”I am delighted with the successful closure of the transaction and the bringing together of two fantastic organisations that share similar goals and cultures.

“The extra support our new owner brings will enable us to offer enhanced product ranges and secure capital efficiencies for our growing number of reinsurance buyers. With a significant amount of next year’s renewals already committed and projected AUM expected to exceed $3bn, 2016 is shaping up to be a positive and exciting year.”

Willis Capital Markets & Advisory served as exclusive financial advisor and Hogan Lovells International LLP served as legal advisor to CATCo. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to Markel.

About Markel Corporation

Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The Company’s principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company’s businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. Visit Markel Corporation on the web at www.markelcorp.com.

About Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd.

Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. is a specialist investment management business. From its headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda, Markel CATCo manages retrocession and traditional reinsurance portfolios for clients around the world, including financial institutions, charities, pension funds, family offices and investment funds. Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. is authorized and regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Disclaimer

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Markel’s and Markel CATCo’s beliefs, plans or expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Markel’s and Markel CATCo’s current plans, estimates and expectations. There are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by such statements. Neither Markel nor Markel CATCo assumes any obligation to update this release (including any forward-looking statements herein) as a result of new information, developments or otherwise. This release speaks only as of the date issued.Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73238

CONTACT: Markel Corporation, Media, Paul Broughton, Managing Director, Marketing, 804-527-7618, [email protected]; Markel Corporation, Investors, Bruce Kay, Managing Director, Investor Relations, 804-747-0136, [email protected]; Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd., Media, Mark Way, Investor Relations Director, +44 7786 116 991, [email protected]; Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd., Investors, Tony Belisle, Chief Executive Officer, 508-259-1640, [email protected]