CII Appoints Debbie Mitchell as 2027 President and Mandy Hunt as Deputy President

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has confirmed Debbie Mitchell as its president for 2027, with Mandy Hunt appointed as deputy president. This leadership transition marks a significant milestone for the professional body, as Hunt’s subsequent presidency in 2028 will create the first instance of two sequential female presidents in the organisation's history.

What was announced

Formally confirmed at the CII’s Annual General Meeting in London, the appointments establish the leadership trajectory for the next two years. Debbie Mitchell, a director at Aberdeen-based Atholl Scott Financial Services, brings over three decades of experience in financial planning to the role. Her history with the institute includes serving as the first female president of the Aberdeen Institute of Insurance and Financial Planning from 2011 to 2013, as well as roles on the CII Group engagement board and the Personal Finance Society (PFS) board. Mitchell held her position on the PFS board until December 2025 and continues to serve as an observer.

Mandy Hunt, the incoming deputy president, currently serves as the managing director of Shape Underwriting, the MGA division of The Clear Group. Hunt’s career includes a 25-year tenure at RSA (now Intact Insurance), where she held senior roles including managing director of the Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands and Chief Underwriting Officer of the Commercial Lines business. She also previously chaired the CII Underwriting Community. This combination of financial planning expertise from Mitchell and deep underwriting and MGA experience from Hunt reflects the dual focus of the CII’s membership base. The 2027 and 2028 terms will be closely watched as the institute continues to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and professional standards within the UK insurance market.

"I am so grateful to the membership for entrusting me with this position. I have enjoyed my deputy year enormously, and look forward to working with all stakeholders in the coming year to continue to evolve and improve the work of the Institute."

Debbie Mitchell

The companies involved

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) is the premier professional body for the global insurance and financial planning profession. Operating under a Royal Charter, it is responsible for setting the standards of integrity, technical competence, and business capability for its members. The institute provides a wide range of qualifications and continuous professional development (CPD) resources that are foundational to the careers of brokers, underwriters, and claims professionals. Shape Underwriting, where Mandy Hunt serves as managing director, is the Managing General Agent (MGA) arm of The Clear Group. The Clear Group has established itself as a significant player in the UK broking and underwriting space through a strategy of targeted acquisitions and organic growth. Atholl Scott Financial Services, Mitchell’s firm, is an independent financial planning and insurance brokerage based in Aberdeen, representing the regional strength and professional diversity of the CII’s membership. Together, these organisations represent the interconnected nature of the UK’s insurance ecosystem, from local financial advice to large-scale commercial underwriting and MGA operations.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously explored the evolving nature of professional standards and compliance within the sector. In 2026, we reported on how FCA CPD Flexibility Does Not Mean Lower Insurance Standards, Warns Zing365, highlighting the ongoing importance of rigorous training despite regulatory shifts. The intersection of technology and compliance was further examined in our coverage of how WH Ireland Taps MorganAsh MARS Platform to Enhance Consumer Duty Compliance and Vulnerability Support. Additionally, the need for specialised expertise in high-growth areas was noted when Brecon Specialty Appoints Will Gow as Global Head of Claims to Tackle Rising Cyber Risks. These reports underscore the critical role that leadership at the CII plays in maintaining the industry's reputation for technical excellence and consumer protection.

What this means from an insurtech perspective

The appointment of leaders with deep roots in both regional financial planning and the MGA sector signals a focus on the practical application of professional standards. For the insurtech sector, the CII’s leadership is vital in bridging the gap between legacy underwriting principles and modern, data-driven distribution models. As MGAs increasingly leverage technology to handle complex risks, the presence of an MGA specialist like Mandy Hunt in the presidential pipeline suggests the institute will remain attuned to the needs of agile, tech-enabled carriers. This leadership must ensure that as the industry automates, the human element of ethical underwriting and customer trust—central to the CII’s mission—is not lost.