What does it mean to be Chartered?
After years of hard work, I became a Chartered Insurance Broker in August last year after completing my Advanced Diploma in Insurance. It’s been a long process: along the way, I completed a Certificate (2008) and Diploma (2012). I also joined our local insurance institute (Newcastle CII) and served as its President (2013–14).
I became a Chartered Insurance Broker within a day or two of passing my Advanced Diploma—a goal I had worked towards for some years.
What is Chartered Status?
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) promotes Chartered status as the “Gold Standard” for those working in the insurance industry. To become a Chartered Insurance Broker, a person must:
Work in the industry for 5 years
Complete a Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Insurance
Carry out sufficient CPD over a 5-year period
Agree to continue ongoing professional development
What It Means to Me
Does it mean just a few letters after my name and a fancy title? I think it means much more:
Better service for clients: I aim to give the best advice possible and avoid mistakes from lack of knowledge.
Broader expertise: Exams and coursework on claims handling, insurance broking, insurance law, property insurance, business interruption, and corporate management have given me both technical and general knowledge about how organisations are governed and financed.
Negotiating ability: I can better appreciate the position of underwriters and negotiate mutually beneficial terms for both insurers and policyholders.
Professional credibility: It provides an immediate third-party endorsement of my skills and knowledge, helping clients trust that I know what I’m doing.
What It Means for My Clients
Why choose a Chartered Insurance Broker over a non-Chartered broker?
We charge the same and arrange the same policies.
We provide additional value through claims support and risk management advice.
We help organisations build resilience to adverse events.
You can trust you’re dealing with a professional committed to continual development.
What’s Next?
I’ve enrolled in the CII’s Fellowship programme and started the business ethics course. We’re also exploring getting the firm itself Chartered—a further endorsement of the quality of our work. Keep your eyes peeled for updates!
Learn More
Find out more about Richard’s journey into insurance (Durham Uni Prepared to Launch Brokerage), his experience setting up a business (Interim Appraisal), and his service on the Newcastle BIPC Experts in Residence panel (Run a Small Business with BIPC Help).
Talbot Jones Risk Solutions are specialists in Charity and SME insurance. Do get in touch if you'd value a free insurance review, quotation or advice and we'd be delighted to help.
