FORTY under 40:Scott Mildrum

Scott Mildrum, Economic and macro strategist, Performa

Scott Mildrum is responsible for developing Performa’s views on the economy and helping to set top-down macroeconomic investment policy. He is a member of the firm’s investment policy group.

Over the years, Mildrum has spoken at several captive insurance conferences, including VCIA (Vermont), SCCIA (South Carolina), TXCIA (Texas) and IMAC (Cayman Islands). Prior to joining Performa in 2013, he worked at Dwight Asset Management as a quantitative analyst and associate portfolio manager where he was responsible for managing portfolio analytic systems, modelling tactical and strategic interest rate positioning trades as well as risk management monitoring.

Prior to Dwight, he worked at Princeton University as a data analyst writing statistical programmes and managing databases for various university departmental research projects. Mildrum graduated from the University of Vermont as a double major in mathematics and economics and earned an MS in economics from the University of Oregon.

How did you become involved in captive insurance?

I grew up in Vermont, one of the world’s largest captive domiciles, and graduated from the University of Vermont, yet had little exposure to the industry before starting at Performa back in 2013.

What are the biggest challenges of working in this industry, and what do you find most rewarding?

One of the biggest challenges for the captive industry is awareness; we need to make sure that young people understand the opportunities that the industry provides. I’m a perfect example. I grew up in Vermont, studied in Vermont, worked in finance in Vermont yet knew very little about the industry before joining Performa.

“We get to work with smart, interested and engaged professionals.”

I am a member of the Vermont Captive Insurance Emerging Leaders (VCIEL). The mission of the VCIEL is to support new and developing captive insurance professionals and part of that is raising awareness among young people attending local colleges and universities.

Being part of the captives community is what I find most rewarding. From our clients to the regulators to industry service providers, we get to work with smart, interested and engaged professionals, which makes the work that much more satisfying.

Would you recommend the captive insurance industry to young people as a future career path?

I would certainly recommend pursuing a career in the captive insurance space. Top tier firms, dynamic professionals, and a great opportunity set for the future leaders of the captive world.

Do you think your long-term future remains in the captives market?

Yes. Having worked in the industry for 11 years I know I have much more to learn and room to grow. That’s the thing about the captive insurance industry, it’s dynamic—always changing and evolving, which creates new opportunities for those who are ready to participate.

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