Following the success of its inaugural ILS Insight event in Zurich in 2014, Guernsey Finance is returning to the Swiss city to host its annual ILS masterclass.
The 'ILS Insight' event moved to London last year but will return to the Park Hyatt Zurich for the 2016 instalment. Taking place on Thursday 7 July, the event sees experts from across the Insurance Linked Securities (ILS) asset class come together to discuss the industry's hot topics.
Guernsey has become a leading destination for ILS; figures showed that Guernsey licensed 66 new international insurers during 2015, with nearly 40% of the licenced structures relating to ILS.
Guernsey Finance Chief Executive Dominic Wheatley said: "Guernsey remains a specialist centre for ILS and we are delighted to be holding ILS Insight for the third successive year and for the second time in Zurich. ILS is a perfect fit for Guernsey's financial services sector as it allows us to combine our long track record and expertise in investment funds and captive insurance in a way that appeals to fund managers and insurers who understand that risks continue to diversify and grow around us. These factors, combined with our close proximity to London and respected regulatory framework, underpin our position as a leading ILS domicile."
ILS Insight will feature a keynote presentation from Dirk Lohmann, Chairman and Managing Partner of Secquaero Advisers AG, and two panel sessions.
The event's first panel session will focus on the rise of ILS and examine current themes in the ILS market, the appetite for ILS among investors, rated reinsurers and the impact of Solvency II. Moderated by Chris Anderson of Carey Olsen, the session will feature Des Potter of Guy Carpenter, Martin Membery of Sidley Austin, Neil Strong of Securis Investment Partners and Simon Vuille of Lombard Odier.
The second panel session will look at the servicing of ILS funds and consider open-ended and closed-ended structures, options for administration of funds, choice of domicile, benefits of stock exchange listings and the use of delegation agreements for pricing of ILS contracts. Moderated by Fiona Le Poidevin of the Channel Islands Securities Exchange, the session will comprise Joe Truelove of Carey Group, John Marren of Northern Trust, Stephen Foster of Credit Suisse Asset Management (London), Mark Le Page of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and David Moore of Collas Crill.
Mr Wheatley said the event will appeal to those involved with the insurance and reinsurance sectors, investment banks, private equity, hedge funds and regulation. "With Dirk as keynote speaker and two panel sessions that boast some of the leading figures from the ILS industry, the event should provide the audience with a significant level of detail and technical expertise on everything to do with ILS and the potential options associated with investment in this asset class," said Mr Wheatley.
'ILS Insight', which is free to attend, takes place from 4.15pm on Thursday 7 July at the Park Hyatt Zurich in Zurich and will be followed by a drinks reception at 6pm. The event is supported by news and analysis specialist Artemis.bm and insurance magazine Trading Risk. Event sponsors are Aon, Artex, Carey Olsen and CISE.
For further information or to book a delegate place please contact Vicky Richardson by email v.richardson@guernseyfinance.com or telephone +44 (0) 1481 720071.
For more information about Guernsey's finance industry please visit www.guernseyfinance.com.
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