President’s Final Message - April 2021

It’s very much been a tale of 2 halves.

May 2019-February 2020: sociable, free flowing, face 2 face, putting foundations and ideas in for future years

March 2020-April 2021: steep learning curve, different priorities, adapting to new ways ,staying safe

I’m not about to list everything we have delivered. 23 previous messages have highlighted bucket loads of achievements and enjoyment. Simply to say, I wouldn’t have changed anything we have done as a council and am immensely proud and appreciative of what all of us and you at IIC&G have achieved in the last 2 years.

Specifically though, the fund raising, building awareness and undertaking volunteer work with Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gloucester Foodbank, Insurance Charities Fund, Doddie Weir MND Foundation and Vale Community Hospital has been first class and top notch. Despite missing out on 2 Presidential dinners and 1 golf day as President, we have been able to raise £10,000 by way of other events so thankyou for all your contributions

At 2,625 miles walked and run, running shoes are temporarily retired and replaced with golf shoes. I have really enjoyed the events we have put on and falling in love again with running particularly at my age..

The new Presidential year will start in a few days and with it comes high hopes of new beginnings ,a fresh start, better times ahead in the world at large. Whatever your own personal and professional circumstances, I wish you the very best and IIC&G will continue to do whatever we can to assist.

I want to finish with 2 things. Both are quite personal if you don’t mind.

The last 12 months haven’t been easy for most of us. Not matter who we are, we have all likely had wobbles and set backs in this period. Just before setting off to do the Cheltenham 3 Peaks Challenge on 5^th September, I received a call informing me my mother had died of colon cancer. In January I had a run in with Covid and still feel it a bit to be honest. I think only about 5 people in the world know both these facts. .

The point of this? Well writing it down helps but also both events showed me for different reasons the benefit of taking my mental well being seriously and too admit from time to time its ok not to be ok despite on the face of it being outwardly strong, resilient, stubborn and confident.

IIC&G will continue to provide as much help and support as it can around mental health and well being issues. I am proud of what we have done so far and 3 out of our first 4 CPD events in May and June will continue to focus on self development and personal improvement

Secondly, I have a lot of people to thank for what they have done for me in the last 2 years.

We have access to some of the best trainers out there for our CPD. So to Jeff, Branko, Nick, Alan, Linda, Claire, Nic Hartley and all our speakers,thankyou for the time and support you have invested in us. Fantastic effort.

To Peter, Alison, Rachel, Erica and all the team at Cheltenham Animal Shelter,. It has been great working with you and look forward to seeing you again very soon. We have close to 80 golfers for the charity event in June so great way to finish off

I am very appreciative of Ecclesiastical for their support since I joined them in November 2019 so thankyou very much and the same to Allison Marshall at Aspects Recruitment who steered me towards this CII route.

To all members of the Council and New Gen council, I have learnt so much from you and always enjoyed your company. Every bit of support, advice, action you have taken has been appreciated so much. Council members are volunteers and give their time up on top of balancing successful work roles as well as busy personal lives. It has been really enjoyable experience so thankyou so much. Hard to single anyone out but Tim,Zofia and Zoe have been the Deputy President’s every President should have and Nicola Hunt is the best Dinner Secretary in the CII country albeit I never had the chance to the take advantage J

Thankyou to Allen Prior as an excellent mentor & walking chum and of course and above all else to Lisa and Josh at home for all their love, support and encouragement

Am really pleased to be staying on council going back to Education and Careers Lead and am 100% behind Tim Chandler from Ageas as the new President as am sure you will be He will be amazing. Good luck Tim

So here’s to a bright future and the chance to dress up at the 2022 dinner on Friday 25^th February. I think we will be ready for it by then.

Cheers everyone!

Simon

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simonmcgill51

simon.mcgill@ecclesiastical.com