The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has recognised seven insurance professionals for their voluntary contributions to the profession, presenting awards at its annual Network Conference in St. Albans.
The Local Institute Volunteer Awards, sponsored by Aviva, celebrate individuals who have excelled in supporting the CII or Personal Finance Society (PFS) at a local, regional or national level. Nominations are made by members across the British Isles, including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, who are invited to put forward colleagues they consider deserving of either a Distinguished Service or Exceptional Service Award.
Jean Cookson of the Insurance Institute of Sheffield and Juliet Williams of the Nottingham Insurance Institute both received Exceptional Service Awards, which recognise contributions made at a regional or national scale.
Five Distinguished Service Wards, for outstanding contributions at a local level, went to Lee Smith of the Insurance Institute of Southampton; Lizzy Modi of the Insurance Institute of Sussex; Ray Johnson of the Insurance Institute of Mid-Kent; Richard Smith of the Insurance Institute of Bristol, and Tracey Fisher of the Insurance Institute of Liverpool.
"Volunteers are an essential component to the work of the CII. Their time and dedication helps to support members and create a positive impact in local communities," said Callum Beaton, president of CII. "These awards are an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the remarkable contribution they make."
The awards shine a light on a volunteer infrastructure that is central to how the CII functions at ground level.
The CII operates a network of 52 local institutes, providing members with ongoing professional development, CPD events, networking and social activities. Each institute is shaped by a panel of member volunteers drawn from all disciplines across the profession, including claims, underwriting, broking, loss adjusting and financial services.
That infrastructure is becoming increasingly important as the industry confronts a deepening talent crisis. According to Gallagher Bassett's Carrier Perspective report, talent attraction and retention surged from seventh place to become the top business challenge for UK insurers in 2026, with 72% of UK respondents reporting greater difficulty in finding qualified candidates.
Against that backdrop, the local institute network serves a function well beyond CPD delivery. Events provide a platform to develop business relationships, boost confidence, and support mental wellbeing, which the CII identifies as vital factors in supporting productivity across the profession. Volunteers also play a direct role in early careers outreach, visiting schools, colleges, and universities to promote insurance as a career through the CII's Discover Risk programme, according to the CII.
The Institute has been working to strengthen its relationship with local institutes in recent years, introducing new data-sharing arrangements, engagement measures, and digital town halls to build closer links between the central body and its regional network.
Earlier this year, it named a members' lounge at its City of London headquarters in honour of Brian Caruth, a long-serving volunteer from Northern Ireland, a move that underlines the emphasis the organisation continues to place on its volunteer-led local model.
