CILA Appoints John Bissell as executive Director

CILA appoints John Bissell As Executive Director to drive long term strategy at ‘Critical time for profession’

The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) has appointed John Bissell as Executive Director. John will take on the leadership role in September 2023. 

As Executive Director, John will support CILA’s Executive Committee. The committee includes President Dr Marc Sweeney of Davies, Deputy President Steven Wallace of McLarens and CILA’s three Vice Presidents, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Examinations Committee Chairman. John will also guide the CILA Council, which comprises Chartered Loss Adjusters and Council members elected to represent 18 focus areas and special interest groups. 

John’s responsibilities include working with CILA’s leadership team to build upon the institute’s successes in qualifications, professional standards, and technical knowledge. He will also drive forward its diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes alongside increasing industry engagement and awareness with key stakeholders, including government and policymakers.    

An accomplished Executive Director with extensive experience within the insurance industry, John has held several high-profile leadership and board-level roles in the UK and internationally. 

Most recently as Chief Operating Officer of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), a role he held between 2017-2023, John took responsibility for finance, technology, business operations, customer services and facilities. He was also on the CII Group Board of Directors and Chair of overseas subsidiaries. He led the CII’s primary strategic change agenda, which included change programmes across IT and digital transformation.  

John has also held several leadership and board-level roles at Acord, Pro-Global Insurance Solutions Plc, Capita Insurance Services, Miller Insurance Services and Aviva Plc. 

Dr Marc Sweeney, CILA President, commented:

“Alongside a proven track record in the industry, John’s role at the CII means that he understands the challenges and opportunities facing a membership organisation such as CILA. From supporting increased diversity and inclusion within the industry to offering adjusters a clear pathway for training and professional development, CILA has achieved notable successes to date. But, as always, we can do more. 

We’re aware of the changing world and the critical role that loss adjusting professionals play in the claims process. John can help us navigate these challenges and ensure we deliver for our members who want a robust and supportive professional and technical development and a representative voice for the whole profession.”  

John Bissell, incoming Executive Director, commented:

“This is a critical time for the profession.  Loss adjusting continues to respond extremely well to the dynamics of the industry with the independence that the profession brings to the insurer-customer engagement being ever more important.  With the FCA’s Consumer Duty coming into force later this summer, all eyes are on the wider insurance industry and the provision of good outcomes for customers. Loss adjusters are a key part of this puzzle and I see a significant opportunity for CILA to make a real difference.”