As the international body tasked with boosting professional standards across the globe, the CII in the Middle East works closely with the region’s regulators and a variety of stakeholders to influence corporates and individuals to attain internationally recognised qualifications.

In the United Arab Emirates we have witnessed very encouraging signs that the mandating of qualifications will soon become a reality. This is a very welcome development as it will ensure that those advisors who have not attained the relevant qualifications befitting their designation take the necessary steps.

It will also shine a light on the crucial role that CPD (continuing professional development) plays in ensuring that advisors remain abreast of new, emerging and shifting trends affecting the sector and their clients. It is hoped that other GCC nations will be inspired to follow suit and as the market matures, make an official commitment to upskilling their insurance sector workforce via qualifications mandating.

The unexpected and devastating April floods experienced by the UAE were an acute reminder that professional development is a collective sector issue, not just an individual company one. The episode demonstrated that the once widely held argument by corporates that, “If we educate them, then they might leave” was no longer salient or relevant. Many companies were forced to recruit new team members to deal with the unprecedented barrage of claims, and their preference was to employ those who held internationally recognised qualifications, thereby providing immediate evidence of their technical knowledge.

In addition, at a time when both consumers and businesses were under great stress, the value for corporates of employing an advisor who could apply their “soft skills” in a challenging, often emotional scenario, was really important. These advisors were individuals who had honed their interpersonal and customer facing skills via CPD and they were able to apply what they had learned.

The importance of professional internationally recognised qualifications is also being fuelled by government legislation and directorates, including Nationalisation Programmes. The CII was pleased to have made a positive contribution to the ETHRAA initiative, an Emiratisation project introduced by the UAE government and operated by the EIF (Emirates Institute of Finance) to provide valuable career pathways for insurance sector employees.

Emirati students employed by several high profile corporates have bolstered their professional development by attaining some of the highest exam marks across the globe in their journey to achieving the CII Certificate, with a new EIF cohort now enrolled for 2025.

In the corporate arena, the CII’s International Professional Partner Firms initiative continues to flourish, attracting new companies each month, and is great testimony to how employers are realising the value of supporting their employees on their personal development journeys via CII qualifications attainment. These IPPFs also demonstrate their adherence to upholding the CII’s code of ethics, and are very diligent and committed in their approach.

We are able to report very positively on the maturing market in Saudi Arabia too, 2024 witnessing the forging of an agreement between the CII and the Financial Academy which reaffirms the entity’s commitment to professional qualifications attainment and the delivery of accredited learning for the sector’s professionals.

The CII has provided official accreditation for the Academy’s training centres; they now operate as Associated Professional Development Centre (APDCs). These are training centres which employ CII endorsed systems, processes and learning materials and which only offer CII accredited trainers who offer robust best practice teaching and learning support for students.

There is no doubt that developments in 2024 indicate a market that continues to mature, with robust professional standards and professional development positioned higher on the agenda than ever before. We look forward to fostering further collaborations and partnerships with key stakeholders, regulators and corporate organisation in 2025 and beyond; a new era of progress for the sector.

Chartered status is a symbol of technical competence and signifies a public commitment to professional standards, the CII said in a statement on 7 November.

Ian Callaghan, president of the CII, said: “We are delighted to welcome these seven firms into our Chartered community. In achieving corporate Chartered status, they have each made a public declaration to professional standards, and committed to upholding the Chartered Ethos of nurturing knowledge, client centricity and serving society.

“Corporate Chartered status is a key component in building public trust and a true mark of professionalism. We look forward to working alongside these firms to deliver good customer outcomes and best practice.”

The firms are:

• Augustine Limited
• Avoca Wealth Management Ltd
• Better Financial Planning
• Park Insurance Ltd
• Sedulo Wealth Management
• SGM Financial Management Ltd
• Suttons Independent Financial Advisors Ltd

In its endeavours to remain relevant and buoyant the insurance sector has always thrived on facing and adapting to new challenges. This has undoubtedly brought about new approaches and ignited innovation, particularly evident in a post pandemic and digitally advancing world. It has also made the requirement for the sector’s professionals to be technically competent and consistently abreast of evolving market needs more crucial than ever before.

As the Middle East market matures there are encouraging signs from corporate organisations in the region that they are becoming increasingly mindful of the crucial role that internationally recognised qualifications attainment has on their employee’s career development and reputation.

The CII launched its International Professional Partner Firm’s initiative (IPPF) just under two years ago, its aim being to formally recognise those corporate organisations who support and invest in their staff, by encouraging them to be a member of a professional body, such as the CII and attain professional body/CII qualifications. Uptake of the IPPF initiative by corporates has been very encouraging, and comes from a diverse range of entities, including underwriters, re-insurance and insurance brokerages and wealth management firms.

The list of International Professional Partner firms now includes, Gargash, Lockton, City Marine, Chedid Re, Braxtone, Arma Underwriting, AHR Group, Fidelity and AES amongst others.

There is no doubt that corporates are waking up to the fact that the benefits for the business and the reputation of its employees for providing informed and competent advice far outweigh any considerations about potential absenteeism to allow for study work or exam taking.

The CII has long recognised this potential issue for employers and has worked hard on its digital offering to ensure a convenient and straightforward study and exam taking process. Via remote learning and invigilation, students who enrol on CII courses are able to fit their studies very easily around their day job, and in our feedback surveys they are always quick to praise the ease of combining both.

The importance for the sector of having an accessible talent pool of qualified, competent, technically knowledgeable staff to call on was highlighted in the aftermath of the UAE floods this year, where many corporates had to employ more advisors to meet the barrage of queries and claims and required the reassurance that new recruits had CII qualifications. The episode served to remind corporates that professional development was a collective sector issue, not just an individual company one, and that the once widely held argument that, “We will educate them, then they might leave” was no longer salient or relevant.

Securing continued collaboration and support from corporates means providing market-relevant courses, content and resources for employees and this remains a priority for the CII. Unsurprisingly, the introduction of courses and units that focus on emerging technology and the environmental agenda continue to remain popular with both employers and employees. These include, for example, the Introduction to Data Science & Analytics.

Developed in collaboration with the Southampton Data Science Academy, the course is an important first step in developing knowledge of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) , providing an overview of data tools and technologies to develop understanding of data analysis, data visualisation techniques, an ethical approach to AI and data science techniques for insurance.

Addressing the role of the environmental component within the insurance sector is covered in the Certificate of Climate Risk, where the aim of this single-unit qualification is to develop professional knowledge, understanding and skills relating to climate change, climate risk and sustainable finance, with a view to supporting customers, clients, colleagues, and communities with the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon world.

While the attainment of professional internationally recognised qualifications remains the backbone of professional development, continued professional development (CPD) relies on consistent learning and knowledge building. Membership of the CII provides education and insight on a wealth of key topics and issues, which we have strived to make easily accessible via our website, online resources, CPD platform, and events which are all free for members.

International Professional Partner Firms are encouraged to renew their CII IPPF membership every year, as are any individuals working in the sector as only current CII members are allowed to use the coveted CII designations, Cert CII, Dip CII, ACII and FCII. We continue to communicate to them how their feedback is highly valued in ensuring that we work in harmony, progressing together the common goal of raising professional standards across the region.

As the regional government regulators hint at mandating professional qualifications in the near future, this becomes even more crucial. Ultimately, robust and effective collaboration will future proof the Middle East’s insurance sector, guaranteeing a bright future for employers and their employees but more importantly for the end user and the consumer.

Members of the CII must commit to upholding professional standards, ensuring competence, integrity and care of clients – all of which is embodied in the AHR philosophy.

IPPFs (International Professional Partner Firms) are corporate organisations who have committed to fully support their employees in their attainment of high level industry qualifications and their ongoing continued professional development, and who uphold the CII’s values and ethics.

William Burrows, co-founder & AHR group managing director, said: ‘’As an organisation, we encourage all employees in pursuing their further educational needs to advance their career, as well as increase their knowledge and professional development in order to strengthen our own commitment to transparency, proven expertise, and market-leading standards from highly experienced and qualified individuals.‘’

Tyla Phillips, group executive director of AHR, said: “We are immensely proud to be the first and only international advisory firm in the region to be awarded the prestigious International Professional Partner Firm recognition by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

“This achievement underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence. We are dedicated to empowering our employees through professional development, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide exceptional service to our clients around the globe.”

Regional director of the CII, Middle East & Central & Southern Asia, Gaenor Jones added: “We are very pleased to recognise the company’s keen efforts and investment in their employees’ career development through the attainment of CII qualifications.

“The IPPF initiative is a great endorsement for companies who make this dedicated endeavour which assists in boosting professional standards across the region’s financial planning and insurance sectors.”

The company further said that all client facing board members were highly qualified chartered planners, with a “further 25 fully Chartered status advisers registered across the CII and other highly recognized educational institutions, with at least a further handful only months away from achieving this status”.

AHR offer a range of benefits for employees studying for professional qualifications, such as study time, financial exam support, and additional training sessions and workshops.

Known as engagement board members, the three are Ben Rose, engagement board member: London markets; Roger Jackson, engagement board member: financial planning; and Suzy Middleton, engagement board member: personal finance.

Ben Rose is President of Supercede, The Reinsurance Platform, and a prominent voice in the London and international (re)insurance markets. He serves as chair of the Insurance Institute of London’s Reinsurance Committee, co-hosts The Reinsurance Podcast, and in recent years has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ and a ‘Young Meteor’ by Intelligent Insurer and The Insurer, respectively. He has advised leadership teams at many of the world’s largest (re)insurers, as part of Aon’s management consultancy division, Aon Inpoint.

Rose said: “It is a huge honour to join the Board of the CII, an organisation that plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our industry. I look forward to working with the Board in advancing the Institute’s mission, and driving positive developments on behalf of our membership.”

Roger Jackson, a chartered financial planner, has been in the profession for 17 years, starting as a trainee after finishing school. He has worked across administration, paraplanning, management, and currently sits on the Board of the Financial Management Bureau, looking after a team of twelve financial planners. Jackson has been recognised twice in Citywire’s ‘35 under 35’, as one of the top financial services professionals. He is currently the immediate past president of the Insurance Institute of Kendal.

Jackson said: “It is a great privilege to take on the role of Engagement Board member for Financial Planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute. I am committed to serving our members with integrity and passion, and look forward to working alongside esteemed industry leaders, as we strive to uphold the highest standards of professionalism.”

Suzy Middleton, chartered insurance Broker, is CEO of SEIB Insurance Brokers, which encompasses Lansdown Insurance Brokers and WRS Insurance Brokers. Suzy obtained her CII fellowship in 2010, and won the inaugural Women in Insurance Awards ‘Insurance Broker of the Year’ Award in 2019. Suzy also previously held the role of President at the Insurance Institute of Chelmsford & South Essex.

Suzy Middleton said: “I am honoured to become a member of the CII Board, and look forward to contributing towards the promotion of excellence within our sector. I am deeply passionate about the work that we do, and the value it holds for the public. I look forward to working collaboratively with my fellow Board members, as we leverage our collective expertise to advance the CII’s mission.

The CII Group Board is responsible for developing and overseeing delivery of the CII’s strategy consistent with its Royal Charter, including to ‘secure and justify the confidence of the public’.

Helen Phillips, CII group chair, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ben, Roger, and Suzy to the CII Group Board. Each of them brings a diverse range of skills and experience that will undoubtedly enrich the Institue. I look forward to working with our new Engagement Board Members as we continue in our mission to uphold standards, professionalism and trust within the insurance and financial planning professions.”