Incoming CII president Peter Blanc looks at the challenges and opportunities to expect in the coming year
As I write for The Journal for the first time, the government has announced guidance to work from home if possible. Many functions and events are under threat and we find ourselves once again in an uncertain environment.
There is a well-known Chinese proverb that says “may you live in interesting times”. I must say that our outgoing president, Julie Page, has had the most interesting of presidential terms and I am about to embark on what promises to be another one.
The opportunities in front of us all as a profession are both enormous and exciting. Insurance, risk management and financial planning have never been more important. My theme for the coming year picks up from Julie’s theme last year – meeting unmet needs.
I passionately believe in insurance as an enabler of life and business. Without insurance pretty much nothing happens and if we, as a profession, focus on seeking out unmet needs and finding innovative solutions for them, we will thrive.
Whether we are advising on long-term financial planning goals or the insurance requirements of a factory or fleet, the importance of advice cannot be overemphasised. The CII performs a vital role in ensuring that thousands of our members are properly skilled and enabled to advise customers correctly.
Fantastic customer outcomes stem from great advice – and great advice is best provided by true professionals who know their business.
Challenging times will bring the very best out of our profession and I look forward to the year ahead with
huge optimism.
Fantastic customer outcomes stem from great advice – and great advice is best provided by true professionals who know their business
Getting back out there
My hope is that 2022 will see a return to more face-to-face events and I very much hope to visit as many local institutes as possible and meet professionals from all across the UK.
My earliest exposure to the CII during my career in broking was at events arranged by my local institute – Chelmsford and South Essex. They were always a chance for professionals from all areas of insurance and financial services to meet, build relationships and discuss the opportunities and challenges they face – as well as always being great fun.
In addition, 2022 will see the CII appoint a new CEO to take over the reins from Sian Fisher. I will always be hugely grateful for everything Sian has done for the institute and I look forward to working with her during her last few months in post.
We will also see the results of the Shaping the future together consultation. I am delighted that so many people have contributed to this important piece of work, so that the CII can move forward with the confidence that we are reflecting the needs of the whole membership in the coming years. What an important project.
Interesting times are ahead – significant challenges no doubt but also incredible opportunities. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Peter Blanc is president of the CII
