The International Underwriting Association (IUA) has formed the NextGen Underwriting Committee to support underwriters in the early stages of their careers, as the London insurance market grapples with a shrinking talent pipeline. The committee is part of the IUA Futures programme.
Its members are drawn from IUA member firms and have up to 10 years of experience across insurance and reinsurance classes. The committee has already held its first meeting.
The London Market Group warned in its London Matters 2026 report, published in February, that the under-30 share of the market's workforce is predicted to fall from 24% to 7% over the next decade.
Research from RSM UK has found that more than a quarter of UK insurance staff are over 50, with half the current workforce potentially retiring within 15 years.
An IUA survey of senior underwriting leaders, reviewed at the inaugural meeting of its CUO Council late last year, flagged talent shortages alongside profitability pressures and the challenge of integrating new technologies as the most pressing issues for 2026.
The IUA Futures programme is led by Ela Metalia (pictured above), who joined the association in 2022 after graduating from Queen Mary University London.
Metalia said the NextGen Underwriting Committee would serve as a central body for underwriting talent development. "Its crucial function will be to ensure industry training initiatives are useful and relevant," she said.
The committee will work with senior IUA committees to identify the skills the market will need going forward. Among its early priorities is developing content for the IUA's Underwriting Essentials series of webinars and workshops. Policy wordings masterclasses hosted by the Clauses Committee are also planned for 2026.
"Our IUA Futures programme aims to furnish people with the essential skills and professional networks they need to establish successful careers," Metalia said.
The NextGen Underwriting Committee sits alongside the NextGen Claims Committee, which was established last year. That body has since run masterclasses and launched a three-session claims bootcamp earlier this year.
It also co-hosted the NextGen Aviation Conference in October 2025, bringing underwriters, brokers and claims handlers together to discuss emerging risks.
In March, the IUA Futures programme launched a dedicated online hub centralising training sessions, networking events and professional development resources for early-career practitioners.
The IUA is not the only body targeting junior talent. The Lloyd's Market Association Academy offers a four-level underwriting pathway and last October rolled out a four-week induction programme for new hires.
Lloyd's is consulting on a successor to its Dive In festival and has committed to doubling its early-careers intake. The Chartered Insurance Institute runs its New Generation programme for 40 emerging professionals each year.
IUA chief executive Chris Jones has previously said that "London as a global hub lives or dies by its underwriting and claims expertise."
