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CII calls for professional

standards

A

n insurance task force led by Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) President, Barry Smith has launched the Aldermanbury Declaration - a call to the general insurance sector to commit to a framework of professional standards to be underpinned by credible and robust measures. A CII Taskforce has spent the last six months analysing the challenges facing general insurance, and concluded that clearly defined action is needed to further build public confidence. By placing a renewed focus upon professionalism, it is believed that there will measurable benefits for both those working within insurance, and for the wider society. These include:

● Better outcomes for customers

● Improved standards of risk management

● A more confident, trusted profession

● More talented people attracted to a career in insurance

● More rewarding careers for those within insurance

Barry Smith: “We believe our proposals are ambitious but realistic, and hope those signing up to the Declaration will fully implement its recommendations. The creation of this Declaration is a clear clarion call of the intent of the insurance market to raise its standing and reputation with the public. It comes on the back of what I believe is a growing desire, within the market, for concrete action that will bring the dream of an insurance profession closer to reality. I’d like to extend my personal thanks to all who have been involved in developing our Declaration.”

The Declaration calls upon all firms to operate clearly defined policies towards customer service, ethical conduct, qualifications, and continuing professional development (CPD). These are expected to demonstrate their commitment to the highest levels of standards and behaviour, and to be easily accessible to their customers and staff. These specific policies were developed

Open GI smash charity record

C

hris Guillaume, managing director of Open GI presents a £26,000 cheque to Maria Parker, area volunteer manager, Cancer Research UK. This is the largest ever donation to charity made by the software house and its staff, doubling the amount raised in 2009. Sister company, Towergate Partnership, also contributed to the donation.

following CII research that identified them as being of most importance to consumers. The framework outlined in the Declaration reflects the diverse nature of the insurance sector and defines measurable standards for the major disciplines within the industry:-

● Insurance intermediaries - at least half their

operational management team should be qualified to advanced diploma level (ACII)

● Insurers - at least half the people in the senior claims management team, senior underwriting management team, and all authorised underwriting agencies should ensure their lead underwriters are qualified to advanced diploma level (ACII)

● Individuals in key leadership and management positions, for example broker relationship managers and risk managers, are

expected to be members of

an appropriate professional body and hold relevant professional qualifications.

● Insurers should meet the criteria for corporate chartered insurer status within relevant business divisions, as a

demonstration of their commitment to excellence

● All employers are

encouraged to ensure that people in the profession participate in a formalised training and development programme.

Dr Sandy Scott, CEO of the CII: “Each of the CII Taskforce members has given their all to developing a meaningful framework that will deliver what our customers and clients demand - a profession to match the likes of medicine and law. I am indebted to all of them for their tireless efforts in rising to the challenge of collating the diverse needs of the sector and creating a Declaration that for the first time offers measurable standards that the whole sector can aspire to.”

Fundraising activities included a

Three Peaks Walking Challenge, fancy dress days, themed cake sales and a Christmas raffle with donated prizes totalling £2,000. Open GI’s staff-nominated charity for 2010 is Midlands Air Ambulance, where the target for 2010 has increased to £5,000 due to fundraising success in 2009.

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