Local institute representatives from across the UK gathered at the stunning Cameron House on the banks of Loch Lomond on Thursday 19 June for this year’s Network Conference and Volunteer Awards. With record attendance - including, for the first time, 16 young emerging professionals from across the network - the event brought together Local Institute volunteers from across the country to share good practice surrounding the amazing work they deliver for members year on year.
The conference kicked off with a warm and welcoming ‘Meet-the-Board’ gathering on the eve of the event, setting the tone for a day full of energy, engagement, and collaboration. Kath Harvey, Past President of the Insurance Institute of Aberdeen, expertly hosted the main conference day, introducing sessions led by CII CEO Matthew Hill and members of the Executive Leadership Team. Key topics were explored, and valuable feedback was gathered from volunteer stakeholders.
Delegates took part in a series of breakout sessions focused on CPD delivery, membership strategy, and engaging with schools, colleges and universities. A dedicated ideas-sharing session encouraged attendees to exchange best practices and support one another in their local initiatives. The day was wrapped up by Ed Darling who hosted an energetic session on how to speak with confidence and passion!
The celebrations continued into the evening with the Aviva-sponsored 2025 Volunteer Awards, presented by Awards Panel Co-Chair Martin Ashfield and CII Board Chair Helen Phillips. Six outstanding volunteers were honoured with Exceptional Service and Distinguished Service Awards for their remarkable contributions to the CII and the local institute network. The evening was topped off with a lively performance from Saltire Beat, a Scottish Bag Rock Band, blending traditional tunes with contemporary classics and offering a true taste of Scottish hospitality.
Feedback and session summaries will be shared via the usual communication channels in the coming weeks, and your local institute representatives will also be passing on insights from the day.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making Network Conference 2025 one of the most memorable yet. We hope you left feeling inspired, connected, and proud of the difference you make.