CII to double exam sitters

Former Capita Insurance Services business development director Lee Gladwell has joined the Chartered Insurance Institute as it seeks to double the number of people sitting qualifications.

Mr Gladwell, who was director of personal lines and then corporate partnerships at Axa before moving to Capita, will take up the position of group marketing and sales director on 1 September.

The CII explained the establishment of the new post "is a recognition of the need to build on the substantial strength of the CII as a professional institute in the UK and in 150 countries around the world".

CII director-general Sandy Scott added: "The institute is a body of long standing; however, it cannot rest on its laurels. Change has gathered pace since the advent of regulation and the industry now needs to go beyond the letter of regulatory rules and take ownership of its reputation.

"This means establishing a much closer relationship between the services that the CII can offer, to encourage lifelong learning and good practice, and sectoral conduct of business.

"The proportion of individuals in financial services and insurance with qualifications needs to rise from the current one in 10 to at least one in five and, in a realistic timescale, one in two. Marketing will be a key aspect of carrying forward this agenda."

Mr Scott added: "I welcome the opportunity of working with Lee Gladwell, who will be part of the high-level strategic team that will carry the CII forward to the next stage of its development.

"With several new educational and competence programmes ready for launch, as well as new membership benefits, Lee will help drive our corporate engagement at the highest level."

Mr Gladwell joins the CII after two years with Capita. He previously spent three years at Axa, which he joined from NPI, where he was director of corporate partnerships, a post he assumed after 16 years with Commercial Union.

CII IN SEARCH FOR SECOND YOUNG GENERAL INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL

The Chartered Insurance Institute has formally announced that the hunt is on for the 2005 Sheikh Abdullah Foundation Young General Insurance Professional of the Year. The prize on offer is £3000, a trophy and a ticket for the UK Insurance and Financial Services Conference for the winner.

Designed to recognise the skills, achievements and commitment of young professionals who work in the general insurance market, this will be the second year the award has been made.

Last year, 82 entries were received and James Barwell, a strategic business development manager with Axa Insurance, was chosen by the judging panel as the winner and four other entries were highly commended.

Entrants to the award must be 30 years old or under at 31 August and be a member of the CII, or have studied toward/completed any of the CII's general insurance examinations in the past three years.

Entries must be submitted no later than 19 August 2005. Details are available on the CII website at www.cii.co.uk.