CII opens MEA office catering to demand

The CII is opening a new office covering the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

It said the move was in response to increasing demand for the CII’s professional qualifications, training and continuing professional development (CPD) in the region.

Gaenor Jones has been appointed to the newly created role of regional director, MEA at the CII and Personal Finance Society (PFS). She will be responsible for building  relationships and developing the CII and PFS offering in the region.

Keith Richards, managing director at the CII and chief executive at the PFS, said it was “fantastic to see how the financial services community is growing and developing in MEA.”

And with it, he said: “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.”

Mature

Jones said: “This is a really exciting time for the MEA region as its financial sector continues to mature. I am delighted to be taking on this new role at such a strategically important time for financial services within the region.

“I am passionate about the role insurance and financial services plays in society and look forward to building greater consumer trust to engage the sector.”

Jones has over 25 years’ experience in banking, investments and the compliance sector, gained both in the UK and the Middle East working for blue chip financial services providers.

She joins the CII from licensed investment group, Takaud, DIFC, where she worked as 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 holds the Diploma for Financial Advisers, as well as qualifications in compliance supervision and regulated mortgage advice.

Jones settled in Dubai a decade ago working with Lloyds Bank International and has strong links with the financial community there.

Richards added: “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.”

The CII has established links with the regulators and financial companies based in United Arabic Emirates (UAE).

The CII last month it said that it had reduced its gender pay gap but urged the entire industry to increase its efforts.