While technology and AI is on the rise, human judgement and client trust anchor performance even as tools evolve

Insurance Times has launched its Talent Development Report 2026  in conjunction with insurer Intact Insurance.

Front cover TDR26

Read the Talent Development Report 2026 by clicking here

As the UKGI sector undergoes rapid digital transformation and faces growing governmental and regulatory pressure to innovate, the need to invest in people has never been more critical.

To help highlight this, Insurance Times launched its Destination Charter earlier in 2026, with the goal being to encourage firms across the insurance sector to help attract and retain talent, as well as improve awareness of careers in the market.

And now, as part of this campaign, this publication has launched its newTalent Development Report 2026. 

It explores how insurance organisations are attracting and retaining young talent, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in workforce development and which skills are set to grow in importance over the coming years.

The report is based on an exclusive survey of 304 professionals across insurers, brokers, MGAs, Lloyd’s and the wider market.

Key areas of focus within this year’s survey include:

  • How the insurance industry can better engage the next generation of professionals.
  • The barriers organisations face when seeking to attract young talent.
  • Strategies for upskilling teams on emerging technologies, like AI.
  • How firms are retaining and developing staff.
  • The future skills landscape and what capabilities will define success.

Key findings

Among the key survey findings is that skills priorities are decisively digital and data led, with respondents ranking AI and machine learning as the single fastest rising competency area (72%).

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Read: SSP backs Insurance Times Destination Charter to support future talent

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Meanwhile, relationship building (59%), communication (54%), critical thinking (52%) and adaptability (50%) top the list of interpersonal skills expected to matter most in five years.

This is an important reminder that while technology and AI is on the rise, human judgement and client trust anchor performance even as tools evolve.

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