AGM: Airmic welcomes new chairman, Martin Smyth

Martin Smyth, director of insurance at Jaguar Land Rover, was sworn in as Airmic chairman at the association's 49th annual general meeting, saying it is "an absolute privilege" to take on the role.

Looking ahead to his year as chair, he said he has two related priorities:

“The first is maintaining a level of relevance for our members:" We have to keep earning our place in their diaries and to ensure that we're delivering exactly what they want out of the association,” he said.

The second is about growing the association, he continued: “The two are connected. The more useful we are, the more the membership grows, and the more relevant we are with a stronger base of experience and the capacity to invest in exactly what the members want and need.”

Smyth succeeds Richard Hoult who will remain on the Airmic board. Smyth thanked his predecessor, praising him for having an “unfailing sense of what members need.”

The AGM also gave Airmic the opportunity to say thank you to two long-serving members. 

Nick Hughes stepped down as company secretary after more than 30 years of service, continuing a remarkable family connection with Airmic that began with his father, one of the association’s founders.

Fiona Davidge also stepped down after nine years on the board, including being chair of board from September 2024 to September 2025.