Airmic CEO Julia Graham to Retire; Diane Maxwell Named Successor

Julia Graham will step down as chief executive officer of Airmic in April 2026, the association announced. Diane Maxwell, a business and risk management consultant with an international background in financial services, will succeed her.

Ms. Graham has held the CEO position at Airmic for 5 years, following 5 years as deputy CEO and technical director. She also previously chaired the association's board. During her tenure, Ms. Graham has been widely recognized for raising the risk management profession's profile and advancing its strategic influence at the board level. She played a key role in advocating for a UK regulatory framework favorable to captives, which was announced by HM Treasury in July 2025. Ms. Graham will continue to assist both HM Treasury and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the development of the UK captive domicile.

"Julia's energy, knowledge and passion for risk management have taken the association to new levels," Richard Hoult, chairman of Airmic, said. "Under her leadership, we have grown our membership, expanded our educational offering and launched successful conferences in Ireland and Guernsey. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Julia for her service."

Ms. Graham said, "I have loved every minute of my time as CEO but feel that, when my contract expires next year, the moment is right to pass the leadership baton on. I am very proud of all we have achieved as a small but highly talented team supported by a growing membership and group of partners."

Ms. Maxwell will formally join Airmic in November as CEO designate and work alongside Ms. Graham before taking over the leadership role in April. She brings with her experience as former CEO of New Zealand's Retirement Commission, where she worked closely with regulators and the financial sector on pensions, savings, insurance, and public policy. She has also served as executive director of policy and risk at an international financial center regulator and currently holds positions with the Chartered Insurance Institute's Professional Standards Committee, the Financial Times Trust board of trustees, and as a nonexecutive director and consultant.

"Her experience working in and with governments in public policy and regulation will be a huge asset to Airmic," Mr. Hoult said. "Her wealth of experience in financial services and risk management makes her perfectly placed to take Airmic into its next chapter of growth."

Ms. Maxwell said, "Financial resilience has been the core theme of my career, and I am excited to be working with the Airmic team, board and our stakeholders in such a critical role."