Chartered Insurance Institute CMO Steps Down

Appointed Chief Executive Officer of the PFS in 2013, during the last eight years he has turned the Professional Body from its origins as a collection of pre-existing life agent organisations into a dynamic and respected membership body for the new and vibrant profession of Financial Planning and the related activities of today’s Personal Finance sector. 

Mr Richards has led the transformation of the Society to be a more Modern, Relevant, and Inclusive professional body, that has continued to see membership growth year on year to 40,000 individuals and over 200 Associate firms, whilst also building the Society’s financial performance and strength.

Following the instigation of the CII’s Strategic Manifesto in November 2016, Mr Richards took on the additional role of MD of Engagement which later changed to Chief Membership Officer and created three membership Societies for Insurance Broking, Claims and Underwriting as well as the relaunch of the Society of Mortgage Professionals.

He has combined these Societies with his expertise in Policy, Public Affairs and Communication to become a respected voice with the Regulators and the Government for the benefit of insurance and personal finance consumers both in the UK and Internationally.

In 2019, he created a fully-fledged Chartered Institute in Hong Kong and launched PFS Asia in 2020. He also oversaw the general expansion of the CII’s International activities through engagement with other Regulators and governments in target and emerging markets. These activities led him in 2018/19 and 2020 to be ranked as one of the most influential professionals in International markets.

Sian Fisher CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute said “Keith has been a committed and much valued colleague who has contributed significantly to the CII change programme in the last eight years. We all wish him every success for the future.”