Cila names new president and youngest ever deputy president

At this year’s Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (Cila) Annual General Meeting (AGM), held yesterday (9 September 2025), Hugh Kennaway, global head of downstream energy at Matthews Daniel, was elected president.

This new presidency builds on the foundations laid by outgoing president Adam Humphrey, with Kennaway now taking the helm in the drive to modernise governance, broaden inclusivity and extend Cila’s global footprint.

Marsh senior vice president Melissa Cunningham has also been elected as deputy president. 

At 39-years old, Cunningham has become the youngest deputy president in Cila’s history, showcasing its commitment to broadening and diversifying its audience.

Speaking on his appointment, Kennaway said: “Cila has always represented technical excellence, but today the claims profession is as much about relationships, empathy and global collaboration.

”These reforms will ensure we remain relevant to the full spectrum of claims professionals and their employers worldwide. The changes recognise that reality, creating new entry points, valuing broader expertise and ensuring Cila is at the heart of a profession that is people-focused as well as technically rigorous.”

Charter changes 

At the AGM, a series of reforms were announced, including a name change to the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusting.

This change was enacted to better include the wider community of professionals engaged in loss adjusting activities across the claims value chain.

Central to the reforms is a reinforced code of professional conduct, in which there is a new category enabling firms to demonstrate their commitment. This change was made to ensure that both individual and corporate members uphold the highest ethical and professional standards across the claims process.

Further reforms include a revised membership structure – including a pathway for existing professionals from adjacent chartered bodies to enter Cilas qualifications framework – while retiring the avanced diploma to better align with career journeys and moving from a council to a streamlined board structure. 

Following member approval and subject to ratification by the privy council, Cila will adopt these changes to its royal charter and bye-laws.

John Bissell, executive director at Cila, said: “The Charter changes represent a significant evolution of the Institute.

”They put a wrapper around what our members and firms are often already doing – working across the claims process, embracing technology and upholding the highest professional standards – while making sure Cila remains the recognised authority for loss adjusting globally.”