CII appoints first independent Chair
News article
Publication date:
29 April 2020
Last updated:
18 December 2023
Author(s):
Matthew Hall
The Chartered Insurance Institute appoint their first independent chair, a role which members voted to create at the annual general meeting in 2019. The chair will be responsible for providing leadership of the board.
Dr Helen Phillips has been appointed as the first independent Chair of the board of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Until now the President of the CII had also acted as Chair of the CII’s board.
By separating the two roles the President will be able to focus on their ambassadorial role.
The new independent Chair, a role which members voted to create at the professional body’s annual general meeting in 2019, will be responsible for providing leadership of the board.
The Chair will work with the board to set the strategic direction of the CII as the professional body dedicated to building public trust in the insurance and personal finance profession.
Dr Phillips has been appointed for an initial term of three years starting on 1 July.
Her career has spanned the public, private and not for profit sectors.
Dr Phillips is currently independent Chair of the Legal Services Board, the oversight regulator for the legal services sector, and Chair of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She is also a founding Non-Executive Director of Social Work England.
She was previously the founding Chief Executive and board member of Natural England, and director for Wales of the Environment Agency.
Speaking about her appointment as independent Chair of the CII, Dr Phillips said:
“I’m both honoured and delighted to be appointed as the first independent Chair of the CII. I am looking forward to working with the President, CII CEO Sian Fisher and her team, and the board in the next stage of the CII’s development.
I am also looking forward to exploring how my experience of chairing boards in other sectors can be of mutual benefit to the insurance profession."
Nick Turner, President of the CII, said: “The breadth of Helen’s experience in executive and non-executive roles in a range of sectors is impressive.
Her skillset and the independence that Helen brings will be of huge value to the CII’s management team and board. I look forward to working with Helen on the strategic direction of the professional body.”
This document is believed to be accurate but is not intended as a basis of knowledge upon which advice can be given. Neither the author (personal or corporate), the CII group, local institute or Society, or any of the officers or employees of those organisations accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the data or opinions included in this material. Opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and not necessarily those of the CII group, local institutes, or Societies.