Future leaders

Award-winning executive development programme

This is a critical time of change for our industry. Firms are rising to many challenges, not least a turbulent political environment, evolving regulatory landscape, increasing digital disruption, and shifting consumer expectations -all while navigating an uncertain economic landscape post-Covid and during a cost-of-living crisis.

This programme will help develop an understanding of the impact of regulators, policymakers, and technological innovations on our industry, and provide the opportunity to learn from CEOs and senior leaders across the insurance and long-term savings sector.

The programme is designed on feedback from previous participants, so we only include what predecessors have told us is useful.

Why apply?

Future leaders will help you get a better feel for the challenges our industry must respond to in the next decade and beyond, providing you with some of the skills and insight you need to be the next industry leaders.

This unique programme will give exposure to senior leaders from inside and outside our industry who will talk openly about how they operate as CEOs and what they have learned along the way. You will also hear from experts first-hand, which should be invaluable to you as you develop your own leadership style.

Past speakers include: Craig Tracey MP, David Coughlan, CEO, Marshmallow and Doug Brown, CEO of Insurance, Wealth & Retirement, Aviva.

Who can apply

Applications are open to:

Up-and-coming senior leaders.

Senior managers with a significant line or functional responsibility with high potential for progressing into a more senior leadership position.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates who represent diverse backgrounds including race, gender, sexuality, cultural background, disability and social mobility.

Now

Applications for the 2026 programme have now closed.

December 2026

What to expect

Politics, policy and public perception

This event is your gateway to unlocking the intricacies of external affairs, offering an insight into the expansive political landscape and the pulse of public opinion that directly influences the environment your firms operate within.

You will benefit from:

Invaluable knowledge of the challenges and critical issues that the ABI navigates daily, gaining a comprehensive understanding of this topic area.
The opportunity to gather wisdom firsthand from reputable CEOs and industry leaders - their personal narratives, reflections on their careers, and candid discussions about their leadership challenges.

Shifting consumer expectations and digital disruption

This event will explore what the future of the industry could look like and how business leaders can harness technological innovations ethically, and fairly, to deliver and exceed, shifting consumer expectations.

You will gain:

invaluable insights into the strategic manoeuvres required to navigate the post-Covid landscape and weather the storm during times of a cost-of-living crisis
the foresight to anticipate industry shifts, leverage cutting-edge technology responsibly, and steer your business toward not just meeting but exceeding consumer demands

Risks beyond the balance sheet

In an era marked by climate change, cyber threats, geopolitical tensions, and global pandemics, the insurance market faces an ever-evolving landscape of risks that demand astute navigation.

This event is your gateway to mastering the skills and acquiring the knowledge necessary to adeptly tackle these multifaceted challenges head-on.

You will benefit from:

A comprehensive understanding of the rapidly changing risk landscape and its profound impact on the insurance and long-term savings industry
Equip yourself with the tools needed to work through these complexities while staying abreast of the evolving regulatory framework
Delve into the critical aspects of operational resilience and the pivotal role of cultivating a robust organisational culture and
Discover why these factors must take precedence in the minds of future industry leaders

By attending this event, you'll not only be prepared to tackle present challenges but also poised to lead the industry forward, armed with the foresight and expertise necessary.

Team challenge

The team challenge isn't about passive learning—it's an immersive opportunity for active participation and application of your newfound knowledge from the programme.

You will simulate a real-world scenario and craft a response and strategy. These scenarios are meticulously designed to mirror authentic policy issues encountered in the industry, triggered by events such as shifts in government policies, influential social media campaigns, or even critical data breaches. Your response will undergo rigorous evaluation by a panel of seasoned experts and industry leaders.

By actively engaging in this exercise, you'll emerge not only with a deeper comprehension of the course's concepts but also equipped with practical skills, ready to tackle similar challenges with confidence and finesse in your professional journey.

See what they had to say

The highlight of the programme was getting to know so many different people from the different organisations across our industry and the challenges we all face.

I would 100% recommend the ABI Future Leaders Programme to anyone in our industry. It was such a great opportunity to get involved, meet people and learn more about our industry from some really inspirational people.