As the new CEO of the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF), I am deeply honoured to lead this vibrant global network into an exciting era. Building on the remarkable legacy of Shaun Tarbuck, I am inspired by the progress we have made as a sector and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Reflecting on 2024, this year has been one of transformation and connection, as we embraced the theme of Collaborating with purpose during our Biennial Conference in Buenos Aires this November. Over three days, we explored critical themes: People, Performance and Partnerships. Together, we examined how to foster purpose-led strategies, enhance operational excellence and unlock opportunities in an evolving risk landscape.

Our discussions shone a light on the strength of the mutual and cooperative insurance model, which prioritises long-term stability, societal resilience, and member-centric values. These principles are more relevant than ever in addressing today’s global challenges, and they remain the cornerstone of our shared success.

As I look ahead to 2025, I am optimistic about the future and the opportunities for ICMIF to amplify our collective impact. With 2025 designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Cooperatives, we have a unique chance to raise global awareness of our model and its transformative potential. The mutual and cooperative insurance sector, representing 26% of the global insurance market, is uniquely positioned to address today’s challenges through long-term value creation, social responsibility, and community engagement, values which are increasingly demanded by consumers and stakeholders.

Strengthening mutual advantage and connecting members through global initiatives

I have often said that one of ICMIF’s greatest strengths is our ability to harness collective intelligence and so in preparation for my first year as CEO, I held over 50 conversations with member CEOs to understand their priorities and challenges, and gaining insights into how to best serve the membership. Common themes emerged including access to capital, regulatory complexities, digital transformation, sustainability, and talent development.

ICMIF’s role as a membership organisation and a knowledge broker, is to curate and cultivate insights to help members overcome the challenges their businesses are facing. These conversations underlined to me the value of our network in fostering collaboration and innovation to address shared challenges.

The power of our network lies in its diversity, with more than 210 member organisations spanning almost 55 countries. ICMIF will continue to be a catalyst for meaningful connections and knowledge exchange among our members in 2025 through a diverse programme of events, both in-person and virtual, designed to facilitate collaboration and strategic growth.

ICMIF events and networking opportunities

• ICMIF Meeting of Reinsurance Officials (MORO): 3–5 June 2025 Helsinki (Finland)
• ICMIF Americas Conference: 27-29 August 2025 in San José (Costa Rica)
• Global Strategy Summit: 29 October 2025 Paris (France)
• ICMIF Resilience and Sustainability Summit: taking place in London and also available in a hybrid capacity (date TBC).

In addition, our virtual forums, roundtables, and webinars will provide ongoing opportunities for members to share best practices and insights. These events, combined with our commitment to delivering strategic intelligence through our financial research and the ICMIF Knowledge Hub, will ensure that our members remain informed and empowered.

Leadership development opportunities

In 2025, we are expanding our offerings to support leadership development and equip professionals with the skills needed to thrive in a complex world.

• Advanced Management Course: This highly regarded in-person programme will be held from 12-16 May and 15-19 September, offering senior leaders the chance to engage deeply with peers, exchange ideas, and develop advanced strategies for driving purpose-led success.
• Mutual Leadership: Adapting to a complex world: This on-demand course, offered virtually, provides accessible and flexible learning opportunities to equip existing and emerging leaders with the tools and mindsets to help ICMIF member organisations adapt to a changing world.
• ICMIF Virtual Young Leaders Programme 2025: Launching in 2025, this exciting programme is designed to empower the next generation of leaders within our sector. Through a blend of on demand content and virtual sessions, young professionals will have opportunities to discuss course content with peers, explore real-world applications, and engage in meaningful networking, preparing them to take on greater responsibilities in their organisations.

These initiatives aim to provide opportunities for leaders, both seasoned and emerging, to develop skills and grow their professional networks.

I, along with the rest of the ICMIF staff, look forward to 2025 as a time to celebrate and amplify the collective impact of the mutual and cooperative insurance community.