The AG, addressing a recent compliance conference, also says PIPA is transforming the way we think about data and privacy
Bermuda Compliance Professionals Association Conference Welcome Message from the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP
Welcome to the Bermuda Compliance Professionals Conference. This event brings together leaders, practitioners, and emerging talent from across our jurisdiction to exchange knowledge and strengthen the profession that safeguards Bermuda’s reputation as a trusted global partner.
Since the Association’s first conference in 2018, the compliance field has undergone profound change. New technologies, evolving international standards, and the full implementation of Bermuda’s Personal Information Protection Act have reshaped expectations of governance, transparency, and accountability. At the same time, our jurisdiction has advanced as a leader in digital assets, while continuing to align with international best practice in preparation for upcoming reviews by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. These developments underscore the central role of compliance professionals in ensuring Bermuda remains respected, credible, and competitive.
This year also marks the establishment of the Compliance Academy at Bermuda College. The Academy will serve as a vital resource for training and certification, providing both experienced officers and new entrants with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex environment. Equally important, it will open new pathways for young Bermudians to build rewarding careers in a profession that is both dynamic and essential to our future.
Your work extends far beyond adherence to rules and procedures. Compliance professionals act as guardians of corporate integrity, advisors to leadership, and protectors of the reputation on which our international business and financial services depend. This conference provides a rare opportunity to reflect on those responsibilities, share best practices, and strengthen the networks that support your vital work.
On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I thank you for your commitment, your professionalism, and the vigilance you bring to your roles each day. I encourage you to make the most of this gathering—to learn, to connect, and to continue advancing a profession that is critical to Bermuda’s success.
Warm regards,
The Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
Bermuda Compliance Professionals Association Conference Address from Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP
Good morning, everyone.
It is a privilege to be here with you today for this important gathering of Bermuda’s compliance community. I want to begin by acknowledging the organisers of this conference and the Association for their continued commitment to raising standards and advancing this vital profession in Bermuda.
The inaugural conference was held in 2018. At that time, the compliance landscape was already complex, but no one could have imagined that it would take seven years for us to meet again. The pandemic disrupted our ability to gather, to share, and to learn in this way. Yet if there is one thing I know about compliance professionals, it is that you are resilient. You adapt. You overcome. And your presence here today is proof of that.
Since 2018, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Bermuda has established itself as a leader in the digital asset space, creating one of the world’s first comprehensive regulatory frameworks through the Digital Asset Business Act. At the same time, the Personal Information Protection Act, passed in 2016, came fully into effect as of January this year. This is transforming the way we all think about data, privacy, and accountability. And of course, the rise of artificial intelligence and regtech solutions has added new dimensions to the compliance profession, bringing both opportunities and new risks to manage.
Additionally, the Government is advancing targeted legislation to strengthen the effectiveness of our framework and align with the updated FATF standards as we diligently prepare for our 5th Round review by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force in 2026. The changes include enhancing beneficial ownership, modernising the trusts framework and refining the NPO/ Charities regime on a risk-based footing.
Consistent with these efforts, the launch of the Compliance Academy at the Bermuda College next week is timely and very important. This initiative will ensure that compliance officers, whether seasoned professionals or new entrants, have access to the training, resources, and certification necessary to navigate an ever-changing environment. It will also provide a pathway for young Bermudians to enter a field that is growing, impactful, and central to the success of our jurisdiction. The Ministry of Justice has committed to ensuring that support is provided to ensure the modules are aligned to specific areas of industry in need of strengthening.
Because compliance officers are not simply administrators. You are the guardians of Bermuda’s corporate reputation. You are the gatekeepers who ensure that our financial services sector and, increasingly, other industries remain respected, credible, and trusted. Bermuda’s blue-chip reputation does not happen by accident. It is built, day by day, on your vigilance, your expertise, and your professionalism.
And you do this while wearing many hats. You are money laundering specialists, data privacy officers, fraud examiners, regulatory interpreters, educators, and often, trusted advisers to boards and executives. Compliance is a profession of moving parts, requiring a unique blend of skills, judgment, and integrity.
We are also seeing something very encouraging: the growth of compliance as a career path for younger Bermudians. Since 2018, more young professionals have stepped into compliance roles, not just in financial services, but across digital assets, insurance, and beyond. Their energy and fresh perspectives are strengthening the profession and ensuring its sustainability into the future. The Government strongly supports creating opportunities, through education and training, for even more young people to enter this field.
The truth is, there are few opportunities in Bermuda for compliance professionals to come together in this way, to exchange knowledge, to share best practices, and to build a professional community. That is what makes this conference, and the launch of the Compliance Academy, so important. They will not only strengthen individual careers but also reinforce Bermuda’s reputation as a trusted and respected player on the global stage.
So, on behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I want to extend my gratitude to each of you. Thank you for the role you play as guardians of our reputation. Thank you for the dedication and professionalism you bring to your work every day. And thank you for investing your time here, to learn, to grow, and to strengthen the compliance profession in Bermuda.
As Attorney General, I assure you that this Government values your contribution and will continue to support initiatives that enhance compliance, protect our reputation, and create opportunities for Bermudians to thrive in this vital sector. To this end, I invite you to partner with us, as it is only through collaboration that we can achieve the outcomes we seek.
Let us use this conference not just to reflect on how far we have come since 2018, but to prepare for what lies ahead. Because in a world where the landscape is shifting faster than ever, compliance will only grow in importance — and Bermuda, with your help, must continue to lead with both innovation and integrity.
Thank you.
