The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) is opening a new office to cover the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, with Gaenor Jones leading the operations as regional director for MEA and the Personal Finance Society (PFS)
As insurance and financial services providers continue to grow and invest in MEA, there is increasing demand for the CII’s professional qualifications, training, and continuing professional development (CPD) in the region, the institute said in a statement. It has already established links with the regulators and financial companies based in UAE and the CII hopes that the new hub will help serve the region more effectively.
As regional director, Jones will be responsible for building on these relationships and developing the CII and PFS offering in the region. She has over 25 years’ experience in the banking, investments, and compliance sector, with over 10 years based in Dubai, resulting in strong links to the financial community there.
Jones joins the CII from Takaud, DIFC, where she was regional head of wealth management; and previously head of sales, investments and takaful for Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. She is a certified Islamic banker and has a diploma for financial advisers, as well as qualifications in compliance supervision and regulated mortgage advice.
“It is fantastic to see how the financial services community is growing and developing in MEA and with it, an increased appetite for professional standards,” said Keith Richards, managing director of CII and chief executive of FPS.
“As the international chartered professional body for insurance and financial services, we are committed to an established and developing collaboration with the UAE authorities. We equally want to better support existing and new members in the region more effectively and this new hub will enable us to do this. Gaenor’s experience of working with the region will be invaluable in this new role and we are very pleased that she has joined us.”
