A BURNLEY business owner has been awarded the top position at a prestigious industry body.

Laurence O'Connor, Managing Director of Financial Affairs, based in Standish Street, Burnley, has been elected as the new president of the Insurance Institute of Blackburn and Burnley.

He was officially voted in at the Institute's Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held at Burnley Football Club.

The Insurance Institute of Blackburn & Burnley is a local institute of the Chartered Insurance Institute, plays an integral part in areas such as exam support and continuing professional development (CPD) for the 333 member organisations operating in the Insurance & Financial Services industry.

On receiving the accolade, Laurence said: "I am extremely proud to be the next president of the Insurance Institute of Blackburn and Burnley. I intend to carry on the good work done by my predecessor and continue to support our membership in our region which is a big responsibility - particularly in the area of continuing professional development. It is also a nice feeling personally considering that my father has sat as president and my brother also beat me to it."

Amazingly, Laurence will become the third member of his family to hold this position as both his brother Gavin and his father Michael have served terms as president of the institute.

Laurence will be taking over the position from previous president Darren Woodfield who served his term in 2016/17.

One of Laurence's priorities as president will be to arrange a large cross-institute conference in Preston which will bring together the Insurance Institutes of Blackburn and Burnley, Preston and Blackpool and Kendal in a full days' event.