The Insurance Institute of Bedford and Milton Keynes
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President's Message

President’s Message

My main theme for my year as President is to make our institute better connected and more visible in the community, not only to members but principally to the organisations they work for. Without local support, local institutes cease to perform and sadly a few institutes have closed in recent years as they lacked active involvement from the working professionals and the firms they work for. Please offer your support to make this institute work in your and everyone's best interests.

Welcome to the Insurance Institute of Bedford and Milton Keynes, a small but vibrant local institute which has been established for 102 years.

I am delighted to serve as your President again for the 2025-26 term. My first tour of duty as President was in 1990-91 and the insurance and financial services landscape has certainly changed significantly over the interim years. What has not changed is the Chartered Insurance Institute’s focus on being a first class professional membership body, setting industry standards, encouraging professionals to gain respected qualifications and to continue to grow their skills to meet the challenges and customer needs of the twenty first century.

I offer huge thanks to our outgoing President, Suzzie Aidoo, for her leadership and dedication over the last year. I am delighted to welcome one of our most talented young professionals and a multiple award winner, Emma Edgeley, as the new Deputy President. She has already proved her value to Council and our members by her outstanding contribution as Education Secretary leading our CPD programme, the most challenging and impactful role in any local institute.

I cannot find adequate words to recognise the thought and effort put in by all our small team of Council members, as without their contribution our institute could not function.

To achieve this primary goal, the Council will concentrate on the following areas:

  • Connecting directly with as many of our local insurance and financial services organisations as we can achieve, building relationships and encouraging active support for our Council and our many activities on behalf of them and our members

  • Growing the number of Council members to represent a wider spectrum of our insurance and financial services community, creating strength in depth

  • Significantly increasing our Careers contribution in our region through active involvement in Careers Fairs, mock interviews and individual coaching for local schools and colleges, raising awareness of the CII/PFS profession and its apprenticeship and training opportunities

  • Continuing to deliver a showcase CPD learning and development programme, covering a broad range of subjects, including soft skills and health topics

  • Broadening our contribution to diversity, equality and inclusion

We warmly welcome anyone who wishes to join the Council, as it is an opportunity to grow skills in running a small business, give back to the industry and enhance an individual’s CV.

Please visit our website for upcoming events, articles, and other relevant content and updates. If you would like to get involved or offer suggestions on how we can better support the industry and community, please contact me at  geoffsatmk@aol.com or bedfordinstitute@cii.co.uk.

 

Geoff Shuttleworth Chartered Insurer FCMI

President & Life Vice President of the Insurance Institute of Bedford & Milton Keynes