The conference, which is being held outside of mainland Europe for the first time, is a key part of Insurance Ireland’s strategy to promote Ireland as a global hub for insurance, as set out in its 2014 strategy document, Creating the Future for Insurance in Ireland.

Ireland has become a major location for international insurance with ten of the top twenty largest insurance companies globally operating in Ireland serving the domestic and international markets. Currently, one in four jobs in finance here are in insurance, with a footprint right across the country and the industry is a leader in FinTech and RegTech innovation.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Taoiseach Enda Kenny stated “The new Government will prioritise making Ireland a fantastic location for new investment and jobs growth. The hosting of the 8th International Insurance Europe Conference is a real win for the sector here and I fully support the work being done to realise the goal of making Ireland a global hub for insurance. I would like to congratulate Insurance Ireland on their commitment to further building the sector here.”

Insurance Ireland CEO Kevin Thompson stated “We are delighted to host this prestigious conference in Ireland for the first time both to mark our 30th anniversary and as a key part of our efforts to promote Ireland as a global hub for insurance. We have a clear strategy for the development of the sector here and among other initiatives around the conference, we have produced a dedicated jurisdictional promotional brochure for delegates on why Ireland is the best location for their businesses.

I am also proud that the conference theme is centred on customers and this will inform our consideration of the major issues and opportunities facing the industry in Europe including global economic shifts and technological advances”.

The conference will consider major issues in the sector including cyber security, regulatory change and global economic shifts, among others. Speakers at the event include An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the Governor of the Central Bank, Professor Philip Lane, senior executives from some the world’s largest insurers, policy makers and regulators form Europe and the United States.