Our History
Since 1978, LIA has helped financial services professionals in Ireland learn, qualify and grow. Today you're part of a community of more than 13,000 members from life assurance companies, brokerages and credit unions across the country.
Milestones
LIA is founded in the UK to support life assurance professionals.
1972
Founded in the UK
LIA is founded in the UK to support life assurance professionals.
1978
First Irish region
The Cork region opens, the first in Ireland.
1993
Independent in Ireland
LIA becomes autonomous in May 1993, with 630 members.
Today
13,000+ members
Around 6,500 exam sittings a year, and eight regional committees.
Our mission, vision & values
Mission
To shape the future of learning and development for financial services professionals: keeping our qualifications current, giving you a personal service, and helping you build the trust that supports your clients' financial wellbeing.
Vision
To be the trusted authority that raises professional standards, so every member can give excellent financial advice.
What we value
Trust
Transparency, honesty, ethics and integrity in everything you see from us.
Independence
Impartial, autonomous and authoritative, so you can rely on what we teach.
Being dynamic
Agile, open to change and quick to learn, as your profession moves on.
Our Story
LIA started life in the UK in 1972 and opened its first Irish region in Cork in 1978. As more professionals joined, the case for an Irish body of our own grew, and in May 1993 LIA became fully independent in Ireland with 630 members.
Since then, members like you have grown LIA into a community of more than 13,000 people. You come from life assurance companies, brokerages and credit unions across the country, and LIA now runs around 6,500 exam sittings a year.
The next chapter is about keeping your qualifications and CPD in step with a changing profession, and moving forward together.
Mark Hedderman
2024-2025
Joe Creegan
2023
Gerry Moran
2022
Paul Tonsett
