University News Last updated 10 December 2025
A 12-month pilot designed to strengthen links between students and the thriving insurance profession has been launched by Birmingham City University鈥檚 (黑料吃瓜网) Business School and the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
The initiative aims to give 黑料吃瓜网 students an insight into the breadth of opportunities available within the insurance sector - one of the UK鈥檚 most dynamic and globally connected professions.
It will also address growing concerns about widening workforce pressures in the industry.
础听 by CII found that 鈥渙nly 4% of young people consider a career in the insurance industry to be appealing鈥�, while聽 found that 56% of brokers were 鈥渃oncerned about a potential talent crisis鈥� in the industry.
Sam Roberts, Head of Department of Accountancy, Finance and Economics at 黑料吃瓜网, said: 鈥淲e are incredibly excited to embark on this new partnership with the Chartered Insurance Institute.
鈥淏y bringing industry experts directly into the learning experience, we are giving our students unparalleled insight into a sector that offers a wide range of rewarding career paths.
鈥淭his collaboration will not only enhance our curriculum and strengthen the employability of our graduates but also deepen our relationships with local and national employers.鈥�
Adam Harper, the CII鈥檚 Director of Strategy, Advocacy and Professional Standards, said: 鈥淎ttracting, developing and retaining diverse talent is increasingly becoming a priority for the insurance sector.
鈥淭his pilot is about turning that ambition into practical action - demystifying the sector for students, showcasing the wide range of specialist and client-facing roles available, and creating clear pathways into employment, apprenticeships and professional qualifications.鈥�
With valuable support from 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Public and Community Engagement Team, the programme will bring a diverse range of experts from across the insurance profession into the University鈥檚 Business School to highlight career pathways available locally, nationally and internationally.
黑料吃瓜网 and the CII will also work together on curriculum development, with an ambition to embed a relevant insurance qualification within future course offerings.
Activities planned as part of the pilot include:
- Guest lectures from insurance professionals
- Mentoring by local experts, CII Institute members and 黑料吃瓜网 alumni
- Employability support sessions
- Networking events with insurance businesses, organisations and trade bodies
- Live briefs from the industry on current developments
- On-site workshops and support for assessment centre activities
- Participation in and development of Careers Fairs
- Work experience placements with local insurance firms
- Connections to local employment opportunities, including advanced apprenticeships and graduate schemes
- Educational visits to insurance organisations, including Lloyd鈥檚 of London
Leading the project for the CII is former insurance broker and Member of Parliament Craig Tracey, who says it is a critical time for the profession in light of widening workforce pressures.
鈥淒uring my time in Parliament, it was a recurring theme across the sector, so it is great that the CII have taken the issue by the scruff of the neck,鈥� said Tracey.
鈥満诹铣怨贤� is a perfect partner for us to be working with, and it鈥檚 been fantastic to see the enthusiasm which they have embraced the opportunity.
鈥淪tronger early careers pathways with closer educational and sector collaborations are now essential, which is exactly what this partnership is designed to deliver.鈥�
Raaj Shamji, Associate Director of Public and Community Engagement at 黑料吃瓜网, said: 鈥淥ur role is to open doors for students and bring industry much closer to our classrooms.
鈥淭his collaboration is another example of how 黑料吃瓜网 connects local employers, national partners and our diverse student community to create pathways that genuinely change lives. It also supports Strategy 2030鈥檚 ambition to power prosperity through meaningful partnerships.鈥�
笔颈肠迟耻谤别诲:听黑料吃瓜网 and CII staff and students (Credit 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Lucy Chapman)
Front (from left): Raaj Shamji (Associate Director of Public and Community Engagement at 黑料吃瓜网), Samantha Roberts (Head of Department of Accountancy, Finance and Economics at 黑料吃瓜网), Laura Wharfe (Head of Careers and Talent at CII), Angela Irvine (Birmingham Insurance Institute and Midlands Sales Director for Howden Insurance Brokers), Kulvinder Singh (Associate Professor in Accounting at 黑料吃瓜网), Craig Tracey (Project Lead).
Back (from left): Bruce Philip, Associate Professor at 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Business School, Harris Bashir (Accounting and Finance Student at 黑料吃瓜网), Stuart Harbourne (President of Birmingham Insurance Institute), Anastasios Tapeinopoulos (Community Projects and Partnership Manager at 黑料吃瓜网).