The Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk & North Essex Annual Dinner – Friday 21st April 2023 - Thank you!

Our 2023 annual dinner hosted by the Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk and North Essex took place on Friday 21^st April. Celebrating the decacentennial year of our local institute, we were so pleased to come together for the evening.

This is a major social event for the year and along with our AGM, our members and guests were able to come together to be entertained, network and most importantly, celebrate the achievements of those members who have been awarded prizes for outstanding academic achievement and professional excellence.

Our 2023 dinner, led by our wonderful Toastmaster Howard Robbins, was our best-attended for many years! It was such a pleasure to see so many returning guests, as well as lots of new faces and we are already excited for next year!

The weather forecast looked bleak but somehow the rain stayed away, and the sun shone! The venue was once again spectacular!

Whilst guests enjoyed their welcome drinks in the evening sun, the atmosphere and setting were perfect.

HUGE thanks go to our very kind sponsors, without whom the evening would not have been possible.

We were extremely honoured to host an amazing group of top table guests and we thank them for their support and wonderful company.

Left to Right; Samantha Lord (President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Chelmsford), Phil Willis (President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Bedford & Milton Keynes), Sharon Theobald (Deputy President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Norwich), Nathan Harvey (President of the Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk & North Essex), Emma Harvey (Guest of Nathan Harvey), Oliver Watson (Deputy President of the Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk & North Essex), Liz Baldwin (Charity Patron of St Elizabeth Hospice), Alan Vallance (Chief Executive, Chartered Insurance Institute).

Two of our top table guests both gave inspiring speeches on the night.

Alan Vallance, Chief Executive, Chartered Insurance Institute

Alan spoke about the new strategic plan for the CII. The plan places a renewed emphasis on professional standards and the value of CII and PFS membership supported by world-class learning and qualifications. He pointed out that the CII as a company is the only company, he is aware of with two professional bodies within it, the CII and the PFS. This is a unique member proposition and he wished to focus, going forward on the three C’s, ‘Credibility, Community and Career’.

Liz Baldwin, Charity Patron for St Elizabeth Hospice

Liz gave an incredibly moving speech about the amazing work the hospice does. St Elizabeth Hospice provides outstanding care for patients and families with life limiting illnesses across East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth, and Waveney. They offer expert care and support to help them, and their families, to help maximise the potential from the time they have left. We were honoured to have Liz with us and to be able to support such a wonderful cause.

Once guests had enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal, as well as a much-anticipated cheese course, we were excited to award the 2023 prizes to our most deserving winners!

We have a large number of members sitting exams each year and often working towards them alongside several other commitments and so recognising and celebrating their achievements is so very important. The award winners and nominees should be so very proud of themselves for their outstanding achievements, and we were honoured to be able to celebrate with them:

2023 Award winners and Nominees

• Sophie Godbold - Prize Committee Prize, discretionary award for excellence or achievement that wouldn’t otherwise be recognised. Awarded in light of her outstanding contributions to the local institute council since joining.
• Matthew Barratt - Taylor Prize for best overall results in Advanced Diploma in General Insurance
• Cami Hawes-Harlow - Ivan Howlett Prize for best overall results in Diploma in General Insurance
• Jamie Pritchard - Ina Barker Prize for best result in a Risk Management paper
• Wendy Pryor - Harry Theed Cup for best result in a Motor paper
• Ashlie Barnard - Award for Fellowship in Financial Planning
• Simon Harding - Award for best results in the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
• Connie Ruck - Award for best results in the Diploma in Financial Planning
• Imogen Sayer - Mortgage Award for best result in a Mortgage Paper
• Cami Hawes-Harlow - Gordon Warren Young Achiever Award for high achievement under age 30 - Winner
• Jonathan Law - Gordon Warren Young Achiever Award for high achievement under age 30 – Nominee
• Sophie Godbold - Gordon Warren Young Achiever Award for high achievement under age 30 – Nominee

St Elizabeth Hospice was our President’s chosen charity this year. We held a raffle with amazing prizes donated from some very kind local businesses and individuals. A rather fun game of ‘Heads and Tails’ also helped to raise monies for the Insurance Charities. Thank you to everyone who kindly donated!

After the formalities it was time for dancing and live music provided by ‘Chart Attack’ who ensured that our guests danced into the night!

The Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk and North Essex Council would like to send huge thanks to our top table guests, generous sponsors, members, and guests for their continued support. This year’s dinner was a total success thanks to you all.

Please take a look at our website and find out how to join our Council for anyone who would like to be part of something wonderful!

Our 2024 dinner will be held at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall on Friday 19th April 2024.

Early bird tickets will go on sale soon!

Please email our dinner secretary cassie.watts@mclarens.com for all dinner-related enquiries.

The link to our President's chosen charity, St. Elizabeth Hospice, can be found here if you would also like to donate:

https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/make-a-donation/donate-now/