'Educate, Qualify, Unify, Investigate, Participate':
CII President Sets Vision For Year Ahead
Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Group President, Callum Beaton FCII unveiled his presidential theme for 2026 in the latest episode of The Journal podcast. 'EQUIP: Educate, Qualify, Unify, Investigate, Participate' will drive this year's focus, a framework Callum describes as both a reflection of his own career journey, and a roadmap for the future of the profession.
Speaking to Luke Holloway, editor of The Journal, Callum said: "I see my own career as being built around the pneumonic 'EQUIP'. 'Educate, qualify, unify'. Because we work in a unified financial services sector. 'Investigate'. I think it's important, even once qualified, to keep on investing, asking questions. And then, significantly, 'participate' - putting something back. I know it's simplistic, I know it's cliche, but I think if you look at those words, that's very much what's delivered for [my career], and I think it's what the CII can assist in delivering to its members, and in turn its members can deliver to the community at large."
The 2026 presidential theme supports the Institute's values of lifelong learning, high professional standards, and collaboration.
Reflecting on how his work will build on the presidential themes of his predecessors, Nicola Stacey ACII and Ian Callaghan FCII, Callum said: "Both of their themes have been around membership, and I think membership is the thing because individual members are the lifeblood of the Institute, whether in the PFS or CII. It's vital that these people feel part of a member organisation and the sense of belonging. So, I'm very, very committed to see into the roles of individual members, to what they can do and how they can develop both themselves and the profession as a whole."
Callum Beaton FCII will serve as the CII Group President for 2026, alongside Debbie Mitchell DipPFS, who will serve as Deputy President.
The full podcast episode is available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Further Reading:
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
The Chartered Insurance Institute is the professional body dedicated to building trust in the insurance and financial planning profession. Our strapline Standards. Professionalism. Trust. embodies our commitment to driving confidence in the power of professional standards: competence, integrity, and care for the customer.
They deliver that commitment through relevant learning, insightful leadership, and an engaged membership. Our members commit to high professional standards by maintaining continuous professional development and abiding by our Code of Ethics. The Chartered Insurance Institute is proud to be a member of the Chartered Body Alliance and the Institute for Global Insurance Education.
The Personal Finance Society (PFS)
The Personal Finance Society is a professional body dedicated to building public trust in the insurance and financial planning profession. Our strapline 'Standards. Professionalism. Trust.' embodies our commitment to driving confidence in the power of professional standards: competence, integrity and care for the customer. We deliver that commitment through relevant learning, insightful leadership and an engaged membership. Our 40,000 members commit to high professional standards by maintaining continuing professional development and adhering to a published ethical code.
