Reinsurance icon Henry Keeling dies aged 68

Former XL reinsurance CEO Henry Keeling, one of the pioneers of Bermuda’s reinsurance market, has passed away aged 68.

Keeling began his insurance career in London, spending 19 years in the Lloyd’s and London market in underwriting and broking roles.

In 1993, he joined Bermudian carrier Mid Ocean Re, serving as its president and chief operating and underwriting officer prior to the firm’s merger with XL Capital.

Following the merger he held the position of chief executive of global reinsurance operations for XL Capital from 1998 to 2005. This was followed by his appointment as chief operating officer in 2006, a role he held until 2008.

Keeling then served as an operating partner at Stone Point Capital. In 2009, he was named president and CEO of international operations at Guy Carpenter.

Tributes to Keeling have flooded in since his passing.

Former XL president and CEO Brian O’Hara said of Keeling’s role in Bermuda: “He was one of the early leaders of reinsurance here.

“Henry became a market leader, not only in property catastrophe reinsurance but general reinsurance. He did a terrific job and was very well respected.”

Greg Hendrick, chief executive of Vantage Risk, described Keeling as “thoughtful, very analytical, and incredibly well read, which was part of what made Henry such a fascinating guy – he had so many other interests outside of the reinsurance world”.

A memorial service will be held at Taunton School, where Keeling boarded, in April 2024.

In an announcement, Taunton School said: “Whether you knew him personally or not, I can assure you that this is an extremely sad moment in the history of Taunton School. We have lost one of the greatest supporters and servants of the school in our 175-year history.”