Insurance Advisernet New Zealand (
IANZ) director,
David Crawford, has been appointed as the new chairperson of
Professional IQ College.
The role came up following the retirement of long serving Professional IQ chairperson Richard Russell, and the recent departure of principal
Lesley Southwick.
Because of this, the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (
IBANZ) board was prompted to review how the college can best meet the increasing learning and development needs of the industry in the next two to three years.
Crawford said legal changes had also made this a necessity.
“In preparation for the likely outcomes of the Financial Advisers Act (FAA) review, the college has undertaken a review of our focus, structure and how we best deliver to the needs of advisers and the insurance industry,” Crawford said.
“One outcome of the FAA review is certain, and that is change. Ensuring that we anticipate what the insurance industry needs as new requirements are introduced will be key.”
Crawford explained how this would be done: “It is our role as a leading learning and development partner to provide resources that not only help businesses adjust to new requirements, but which also support their service to consumers.”
IBANZ said Crawford’s extensive knowledge of financial services and the advice industry, working as a corporate broker in New Zealand, London and the Middle East before joining IANZ as CEO in 2006 and latterly as a director, made him well suited to the role.
He has also served on the IBANZ board since 2007.
Crawford said: “We look forward to working with our industry partners as the college enters into a new phase of development and growth.”
