The Insurance Institute of Royal Tunbridge Wells
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President's Message

  • Chris Stevenson-Smith
  • 2025/26 President

Welcome to the Insurance Institute of Royal Tunbridge Wells. 

I’m honoured and privileged to have been elected as President of the Insurance Institute of Royal Tunbridge Wells for the coming year.

Our Institute is supported by a fantastic Council; an inspiring group of volunteers who give their time and energy to help run events, support members, and keep everything running smoothly for our c.900 members.

I’ve been on the Council since 2017, and I’m always impressed by the dedication and teamwork that goes into making the Institute what it is. I’m looking forward to working with everyone again this year as we deliver the aims of the Chartered Insurance Institute, at a local level for our CII and PFS members.

I’d also like to say a big thank you to Dr. Claire Davey, our outgoing President, for her leadership over the past year. Claire introduced some great new ideas that I hope to build on during my time in the role.

 

On Monday 28th April, we hosted our AGM and elected the following individuals:

Deputy President: Emma Birchard

Treasurer: Tom Woolley

Secretary: Stephen Duffin

CPD Secretary: George Richards

PFS Representative: Pierre Cousey

Regional Forum Officer: Paul Walker

Communications Officer: Christopher Digby

Dinner Secretary: Daisy Llewellyn

Charities Ambassador: Clair Moore

Diversity Officer: Emma Birchard

Voting Vice Presidents: Rebecca Eastwood, Francesca Dulley, Dr. Claire Davey (as well as other office holders).

I look forward to working with this team of talented and dedicated people to deliver an agenda centered on three key points:

  1. Continuation: During Dr. Claire Davey’s Presidential year, she began a series of initiatives aimed at getting the council more involved with the local community, and spreading the word about the work of the council. This has included the organisation of charity work within the community and engaging local press. I intend to continue building on the start that Claire has made on these fronts.
  2. Integration: I intend to work with our local PFS to integrate our approach to the organisation of events and CPD to build an environment of One Institute working together for all its members.
  3. Expansion & Partnerships: I will aim to expand the Institute into relationships with other local professional bodies, which presents the opportunity for networking, social and educational opportunities in partnership.

If you’d like to be part of this journey over the next 12 months, and live or work in the Tunbridge Wells area, assign your local institute to us via your CII Network Know How account. Alternatively, drop us an email at Cii.rtw@outloook.com.

Chris Stevenson-Smith

2025/26 President - The Insurance Institute of Royal Tunbridge Wells