Board Digest - November 2025

Ahead of the formal meeting, we held an afternoon of valuable discussion focused on our global work and future plans. We were delighted to welcome our International Vice Presidents – Enas Asiri, Chartered Insurer and Fellow of the CII, currently with Bahrain National Life Assurance – and Suresh Nair, Executive Director at Gargash Insurance Services in Dubai – alongside colleagues responsible for our activities beyond the UK, to share insights and ideas.

It was encouraging to hear how our engagement with regulators and stakeholders worldwide – particularly across the Middle East and Asia – is being received so positively. These conversations highlight the growing recognition of professional standards globally and how the CII Group can leverage its expertise, reputation, and convening power to influence policy and public trust. I was pleased to personally support this effort following our Board meeting with a visit to Bahrain, where – among a range of activities – I joined a panel discussion at the Ingate Global insurance conference titled “Building Talent for Tomorrow’s Insurance Economy”.

Returning to our Board agenda, we devoted time to discussing the evolution of our Professional Pathways programme, exploring how we will strengthen the skills and capabilities of our members. We also reviewed progress and next steps on Corporate Chartered status, so that we make it an even more powerful differentiator for firms seeking to demonstrate quality and integrity in a competitive market.

We addressed several governance matters, confirming the appointment of a new Non-Executive Board member and Chair of our Nominations and Remuneration Committee – Simon Lewis – with effect from 1 January 2026, and noting some changes to the PFS Board, which will be announced before year-end.

We were pleased to note that we remain on course for another strong financial year, reflecting disciplined cost management and positive developments across our activities. The Board discussed the implications of this performance for our investment priorities, including technology enhancements and member services, and reiterated the importance of maintaining financial sustainability as we navigate a changing economic environment.

As we concluded, we reflected on the need to maintain momentum into the new year and ensure our strategy continues to deliver for members and the wider profession. With strong foundations and a clear focus on innovation and engagement, we are well positioned to build on the progress achieved in 2025. Our final Board meeting of the year will take place in December, when we will finalise our business planning for 2026.

Dr Helen Phillips

Chair, CII Group Board