President's Message

On Monday 20th April 2026, the Insurance Institute of Newcastle held its Annual General Meeting, marking the start of the 2026/27 presidential term. I, Rachel Jefferson, was elected President, along with John Neill as Deputy President. 

 

It is a real honour to take on the role of President and I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity. Having been involved in volunteering with the PFS and CII for well over a decade, I would not be here without the support of so many of my colleagues and our members.

 

As I begin my term, I have chosen Community as the theme for the year ahead.

 

Community, to me, is about supporting one another – collaborating to create opportunities not only for our current members, but also for future professionals and the wider public. Over the coming year, my aim is to strengthen this sense of community across all that we do.

 

The Institute already delivers a fantastic programme of educational and social events and I look forward to us building on this success with the same enthusiasm and commitment. We will also look to introduce additional opportunities for members to connect, including the potential return of a social sporting event.

 

Engagement beyond our membership will also be a key focus. By strengthening our links with schools, colleges and universities, we can promote a greater understanding of the insurance and financial services professions and help inspire the next generation.

 

Community is also about making a difference beyond our profession. I am therefore pleased to confirm that our chosen charity for the year is The Bubble Foundation. The vital work they do supports children with life-threatening immune deficiencies and their families and I hope we can make a meaningful contribution through our fundraising efforts.

 

We will also continue to raise awareness of The Insurance Charity and the valuable support it provides to those within our profession.

 

My objective for the year is simple: to ensure we continue to make meaningful contributions to our community, together.