Nearly one in three young professionals plan to leave the industry, warns report

The UK insurance sector could be facing a talent retention crisis, according to The Re:generation Report 2025: The Inside Story, published by specialist creative agency Free.

The research, which surveyed 321 early-career professionals across the UK and US, found that while 94% of respondents were satisfied with their decision to work in insurance, 29% were considering leaving and half were unsure about their long-term future in the sector.

Respondents cited a lack of purpose or meaning in their roles (57%), uncompetitive pay and benefits (41%) and the industry’s poor public perception (38%) as the main reasons they consider exit.

Free’s latest report builds on The Re:generation Report 2024, which revealed that many young people outside the profession viewed insurance as “invisible” and “boring” – despite the sector offering the purpose, balance and growth opportunities it claimed to value.

Almost half (49%) of the young professionals surveyed said insurers should do more to highlight the sector’s social value, including the role it plays in protecting communities and supporting recovery when disaster strikes.

One participant commented: “I value the impact we have on people’s lives – giving them financial protection and peace of mind when the unexpected happens and helping them recover when it does.”

However, many felt the link between that broader purpose and their own day-to-day work was unclear. The report urged employers to invest in stronger brand storytelling and employee engagement to bridge that gap.

Loyalty crossroads

Olga Collins, chief executive at the Worldwide Broker Network, said the findings reflected a turning point for the industry.

She explained: “Insurance is at a crossroads. We face a double challenge when it comes to talent. Too few new entrants are joining the profession, and what’s emerging is growing uncertainty about how many of our people will stay. Satisfaction today doesn’t mean loyalty tomorrow.”

Lorraine Jeckells, chief executive at Free, added that while insurance already delivers on what young people seek from their careers, the message is not cutting through.

“Insurance already delivers purpose, growth and impact – the very things young people want from their careers,” she said.

“But the story isn’t being told clearly enough. Unless the industry improves how it communicates its value, both internally to employees and externally to future talent, other sectors will continue to win the battle for the next generation.”

The report urges insurers to address pay disparities, make career progression more transparent and link employees’ work to the industry’s broader purpose of protecting people, businesses and communities.

The Re:generation Report 2025: The Inside Story was published by Free in October 2025 and surveyed professionals working in carriers, brokers, MGAs and insurtechs across the UK and US.