Is it really only six months until ICMIF’s Biennial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina? With more than 100 members already registered, our highly anticipated event is promising to attract around 375 purpose-led decision-makers from across the globe including around 50 young leaders.

By November, the world could feel very different

Major leadership decisions will have been made geopolitically; conflict and social unrest will undoubtedly continue (or even start) both near and far away; increasing regulation will continue to keep consultants cheering and financial services weeping; the impact of Generative AI will snowball further and be one of the most exciting (and controversial) trends of the 21st century… need I go on? Oh, and if all of that isn’t enough, ICMIF will also formally appoint its first ever female CEO, as Shaun Tarbuck, the current Chief Executive, moves into a part-time advisory role.

Amidst this uncertainty, I believe there is plenty to be excited about for purpose-led insurers. Our latest research shows that the global mutual and cooperative sector collectively wrote USD 1.41 trillion in insurance premiums and increased the sector’s share of the total insurance market to an eight-year high of 26.3% in 2022. Our sector is thriving despite the uncertainties – history shows that we always do! We are continuing to evolve our business models while being anchored to each of our unique, long-term purposes which includes serving the ever-changing needs of the communities we serve.

As we look ahead to 2025, our members are, in the main, optimistic about the opportunities to mitigate the new emerging risks and take advantage of opportunities. The best performing members are typically the collaborators; hence our Conference theme Collaborating with purpose. These organisations seek inspiration outside their markets and welcome opportunities to see challenges and opportunities from new perspectives.

Our sector will be in the spotlight again in 2025 thanks to the announcement that it will be the UN’s International Year of Cooperatives (which will include mutuals/fraternals etc). This gives every purpose-led leader the opportunity to proudly showcase how their mutuality/cooperative nature is an strategic enabler and how global collaboration is possible within our unique network.

And so the 2024 ICMIF Biennial Conference agenda will not only lean-in towards the tougher topics we are all facing, but will also inspire positive action. Each day we will also share how ICMIF can support your journey.

Why purpose-led leaders put people first

After consulting with more than 20 high performing presidents and CEOs from our membership, it was clear to me that people are at the heart of most of their strategic challenges and opportunities. And so day one of our Conference will examine how our members are impacting people and society with a sharp focus on how this affects long-term financial stability. We will also look into how today’s dynamic working environments are shaped by numerous disruptive and evolving trends; how effective purpose-led talent management strategies are enhancing employee engagement and wellness; and how members are transforming customer experience as they modernise and keep up with rapidly changing customer expectations.

Enabling long-term, sustainable performance: The ‘how’ has changed!

The CEOs I interviewed talked openly about balancing purpose and resilience with financial success. Their people are upskilling to leverage new technologies and redefining their value proposition and operational strategies accordingly, ensuring their sustainability credentials are, first and foremost, enablers for good business.

Generative AI is seen as an opportunity and a challenge and so day two of the conference will dig a little deeper into these dilemmas as the insurance landscape evolves at a rapid pace. We will look at how members have adapted; what worked and what didn’t; and how high performing organisations are incorporating all of this into their strategies while leveraging their historic heritage and people-first culture.

We can’t navigate this uncertainty alone

The next insight I gained from my conversations with these successful CEOs was the imperative to collaborate with other ICMIF organisations and with external partners in order to enhance the resilience of the communities we serve. This will be the focus of the final day of the Conference where we will be looking at how can we use our collective efforts to affect lasting change and gain first-mover advantage by collaborating on new ventures. We will showcase best practice on partnerships for resilience and discuss the impact that ICMIF’s strategic partnerships have made so far.

If it’s important, you make time …

And so this fast-moving and ever-changing world is an increasing challenge for every leader’s diary. The clock is ticking and it feels as though there’s never enough time. But, by setting time aside now in your diary to attend this year’s Conference in November, means you won’t miss out on the immeasurable value that the collaboration, inspiration and assistance from your global membership network can bring. My final thoughts that I invite you to consider are:

• This event is only once every two years.
• It’s an exclusive global network of your contemporaries.
• It will be time well spent.

Visit the ICMIF Biennial Conference website to find information on the agenda; the conference hotel; local information including travel options; the social programme; and optional excursions to help you make the most of your time in Argentina.