The Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA) has given voice to its younger members by making Jessica Beard, co-convenor of its young professionals group, an ex-officio board member.

Ms Beard is a solicitor with the Brisbane office of Quinlan Miller & Treston Lawyers.

AILA National President Angus Kench says Ms Beard’s appointment ensures the association continues providing value to its entire membership, including the under-30s.

“Many associations today stagnate because they do not encourage generations X and Y to be involved,” he said.

He says many of the Baby Boomers who ran AILA over the past 35 years are approaching retirement, and “it is vital for AILA to evolve so there is always a new breed of people willing to take the organisation into the future”.