Brown & Brown (Europe) has partnered with Futures For All, a UK social mobility charity, in a bid to make insurance a more visible and attractive career option for school-age students and undergraduates.
The tie-up is aimed at young people who have little or no family or community connection with financial services and who may not see insurance as a credible career path.
Recent industry research has underlined a challenge. In a 2025 study by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical found that 64% of UK insurance brokers view recruiting young talent as a strategic challenge, with almost half saying the sector is not seen as an appealing option for young professionals.
The company said the partnership is one of several steps it is taking to identify and develop emerging talent, in order to support its own growth and help strengthen the wider market.
Through its collaboration with Futures For All, Brown & Brown will work directly with school‑age students, offering mentoring and practical insight into working life. Team members will deliver talks in schools on how they entered the sector, the breadth of roles available across insurance, and the potential for long‑term, varied careers.
For university students, Brown & Brown is introducing a final‑year internship scheme, giving undergraduates hands‑on experience before they graduate, and launching a graduate scheme designed to fast‑track new entrants into permanent roles. Participants will rotate across core areas such as retail, claims, underwriting and wholesale broking to gain a rounded understanding of how a large brokerage operates.
These kinds of structured programmes are increasingly being used by UK firms to tackle succession and skills gaps. In other parts of the market, early‑careers initiatives typically combine rotational placements, exam support and clear career frameworks to take people from trainee to specialist roles, reflecting a broader shift towards “multi‑tiered” approaches to talent development.
The partnership comes against a backdrop of persistent skills shortages. According to Hays UK data, 84% of employers reported skills gaps in the past year, and nearly three‑quarters plan to recruit staff over the next 12 months. Within insurance specifically, brokers and carriers have highlighted the difficulty of attracting younger professionals who often “fall into” the sector by chance rather than choosing it at school or university.
Social mobility and diversity are also moving up the agenda. UK employers that stand out on talent are increasingly treating diversity, equity and inclusion as “a core business priority, not just a tick box exercise”, backed with targeted recruitment, mentoring and outreach to under‑represented groups. Partnerships with charities that specialise in widening access to professional careers have become a common route to reaching students who might not otherwise consider insurance.
Mark Williams, head of learning and development at Brown & Brown (Europe), said the initiative is designed to challenge entrenched perceptions of the sector among young people, who may only encounter insurance as a compulsory purchase.
“We recognise that insurance isn’t always the first career choice for young people, largely because they haven’t been exposed to the diversity and excitement of the sector. At Brown & Brown, we are determined to change that," Williams said. “Whether it is mastering technical underwriting or exploring the impact of AI on our industry, we are providing the tools and qualifications young people need to succeed. This is an investment in our future, and the future of the insurance industry as a whole."
For insurance employers, however, there is growing recognition that younger professionals are looking for purposeful work, learning and progression. Survey data suggests that around 83% of professionals said an organisation's purpose is important when considering a new role, while tailored flexible working and a strong team culture are also highly valued. That aligns with efforts to present insurance not only as financially rewarding but as a sector that helps "put people and businesses back on their feet in times of need."
Futures For All focuses on expanding access to work experience and professional careers for students from a wide range of backgrounds, with an emphasis on talent and potential rather than existing connections.
Nick Brook, CEO of Futures For All, said many young people remain unaware of what the industry does day to day, despite its importance to the UK economy.
“The insurance industry plays a vital role in the UK economy, yet many young people have little exposure to the careers it offers. This initiative with Brown & Brown will help more students gain insight into the sector and the opportunities it provides," Brook said. "This partnership is an important step in helping ensure that more young people can access professional careers based on their talent and potential.”
