The times are changing at the Chartered Insurance Institute.
The body has today announced the appointment of Dr Helen Phillips as its first independent chair. The move marks the separation of the role from the position of CII president – the hope is that the separation will allow the president to focus on their ambassadorial role and follows on from the unprecedented decision to extend Nick Turner’s tenure in the role. The decision to create an independent chair was voted on at the institute’s annual general meeting last year.
In a release announcing the appointment, it was outlined that the chair will now work with the board on strategic direction.
Dr Phillips will move into the role on July 01, initially for a three-year term. She arrives with extensive experience, including currently being independent chair of the Legal Services Board and chair of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She also works as a non-executive director for Social Work England.
“I’m both honoured and delighted to be appointed as the first independent chair of the CII,” she said. “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 and personal finance professions.”
Meanwhile, Turner pointed to the breadth of Phillips’ experience.
“Her skillset and the independence that Helen brings will be of huge value to the CII’s management team and board,” he said. “I look forward to working with Helen on the strategic direction of the professional body.”
