Myra Virgil, Bermuda Foundation CEO & Managing Director (L), Fiona Luck, Grant Hopkins, BF Board Director, Governor of Bermuda, Mr. Andrew Murdoch, Nancy O’Hara, wife of Brian, Brian O’Hara, Peter Durhager, former Chair, BF Chair, Nikkita Scott, BF Board Director, Amanda Outerbridge (Bermuda Foundation Chair)
When doing the right thing is the right thing to do
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026 (HAMILTON, BERMUDA)
Leaders in business and philanthropy have paid tribute to Brian O’Hara for his exceptional contributions to benefit Bermuda’s community. They praised Mr. O’Hara for intentionally providing opportunities for Bermudians in international business, promoting women into senior positions, and establishing a culture of ethics, excellence and respect at the company he led as CEO. In addition, he was hailed for the support he gave to the Bermuda community in numerous ways, personally and professionally.
As he stepped down as a member of the Bermuda Foundation Board of Directors, Mr. O’Hara was presented with an award for his contributions to philanthropy, and a donation was made in his honour to the Chair and Founders’ Fund for the Community.
While Mr. O’Hara has had a high profile role in international business, much of what he contributed to society was less well known. In aggregate, his impact has been significant, much of it ground-breaking. Under his leadership, the XL Group led the way with the establishment of the XL Foundation, contributing more than $40 million to the community over its three decades of operation. Additionally, the company has awarded annual full scholarships to university for dozens of Bermudians since the late 1980s. The XL Group’s Global Day of Giving was the first of its kind, marking the company’s 20th anniversary; it involved thousands of XL employees in 70 offices worldwide working as volunteers for their communities during a 24-hour period.
“At a time in Bermuda when philanthropy was not automatic or required, Brian was characteristically at the forefront of a movement that has lifted up so many Bermudians, and the community generally.”
Personally, he has quietly financially supported individuals in need, donated to causes he believes in and has always been ready and willing to assist in addressing community needs. His work has demonstrated the goal of true philanthropy: to make a systemic and sustainable difference.
“As a successful businessman, Brian was well positioned to do good in our community,” says Dr Myra Virgil, Managing Director and CEO of the Bermuda Foundation. “He noted in an interview many years ago, it would have been good enough for international companies emerging in the 1980s to support the local economy by building their business in Bermuda and hiring Bermudians. At a time in Bermuda when philanthropy was not automatic or required, he was characteristically at the forefront of a movement that has lifted up so many Bermudians, and the community generally. We are glad to have had this opportunity to acknowledge Brian’s extraordinary and selfless contributions.”
Family, friends, and supporters in attendance at the event.
About the Bermuda Foundation
The Bermuda Foundation (BF) is a limited liability and segregated accounts company, registered as Bermuda charity #948. Its mission is to create an enduring source of funds forever dedicated to the good of Bermuda. BF improves and strengthens Bermuda’s social sector by assisting donors of all kinds to make the most of their generosity. As a public grantmaking foundation, its resources go towards creating a permanent asset base for the public benefit by stewarding and investing charitable gifts from the community, grantmaking, and responsibly managing its operations. BF was founded in 2013 by The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Buchanan Charitable Fund and RenaissanceRe with support from private donors and nonprofits that established their own endowed agency funds to be managed at the foundation. Bloomberg Philanthropies, Hemera Foundation, Allan & Gill Gray Foundation, AxaXL Foundation, and Meritus Trust Company also made key contributions. BF benefits from the professional support of Conyers Dill & Pearman and from PwC who conduct its annual audit.