The CII today pushed ahead in its task to raise the industry's profile in an attempt to attract new talent into the insurance market.
The Institute equates attracting new talent to raising the profile of the industry and creating a more positive image of insurance.
However, delegates attending the speech were left unimpressed by the initiative. One delegate told Insurance Times: “We are still unsure whether this is going to work, and some of the pamphlets which the CII has distributed are poorly designed.”
Yet Biba chief executive, Eric Galbraith, said: “This is the beginning of something we have been waiting for. Sandy [Scott, president of CII] and I have talked about this and we are absolutely delighted that the CII has begun to raise the profile of the industry.”
Chris Hanks, commercial lines director of Allianz Cornhill, who made the speech today said: “We cannot avoid that we will compete with other industries for young talent. But we have stepped up a gear. We cannot forget that this is very closely linked with public perceptions.”
Brendan McManus, managing director of Royal & Sun Alliance, said: “The launch of the CII talent initiative will help attract more high calibre people into insurance. It will also encourage the industry to work together in order to shed the negative and slow paced image still associated with our sector.”
Skeptics remain to be convinced. Several delegates raised concerns about the CII methods, with managers unhappy about the number of undergraduates attending the conference.
However, one source who did not wish to be named said: “It is all very well to complain that not enough is being done, but are those complainers actually doing something themselves? I doubt it.”
Recent Related News
CII/Biba launch autumn training schedule
CII launch regulatory masterclasses
Learning pathway recognised with new designation
