As part of Chartered Week 2026, we’re diving into what it really means to be Chartered — beyond the letters, beyond the badge.

In this episode of The Journal podcast, we unpack how Chartered status shapes culture, strengthens consumer trust, and sets a higher bar for standards across our profession.

We’ll explore the difference it makes inside firms, the impact it has on customer relationships, and why it continues to be a gold standard for integrity in insurance.

Joining the podcast is Tim Brangwyn, Group Managing Director and Chartered Insurance Broker at Islands Insurance, and Neil McCarthy, Managing Director and Chartered Insurance Underwriting Agent at MPR Underwriting Ltd.

What more do you think the insurance profession can do to support survivors of economic abuse?

In this week's episode of The Journal Podcast, we’ll be discussing the recently released CII Economic Abuse Report, focusing on:

➡️ What economic abuse is

➡️ How insurance providers can better identify economic abuse

➡️ Ways in which providers can prevent and respond to economic abuse

We’ll also speak about the impacts on individuals affected by economic abuse, how AI and digitalisation is affecting survivors of economic abuse and how the profession can adapt and evolve in future to better support those impacted by economic abuse.

Joining the podcast this week is Alex Devereux, Senior Financial Services Specialist at Surviving Economic Abuse, and Carmen Powell, CEO of ISC Group.

Click here to read the full report: https://media.umbraco.io/ciigroup-dxp/cgmjoonx/economic-abuse-guidance-for-general-insurance-providers.pdf

Welcome to our National Apprenticeship Week episode of the Journal Podcast.

We take a look at insurance apprenticeships, early‑career pathways, and how real apprentices are building their futures in the profession.

In this episode, we’ll explore what an insurance apprenticeship actually involves, how apprentices balance work and study, the skills they develop, and how quickly they make an impact.

You’ll also hear why employers invest in apprentices, what makes a great apprenticeship experience, and honest advice for anyone considering this route.

For more information about the CII Aspire Apprenticeship scheme, please click here: https://www.cii.co.uk/careers-in-insurance/aspire-apprenticeships/?srsltid=AfmBOooC5YD-6eyAuk8wg8y_YcgfYZVwLUUh16coqx5fgN4-MIxBTvAa

In this episode of the podcast, recorded just before he took office, we speak with the 2026 CII President Callum Beaton FCII. We discuss his theme for his presidential year, his experience and hopes for the future of the profession.

Struggling with motivation, mood, or energy during winter? You’re not alone.

In this episode of The Journal Podcast, we speak to Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald, a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.

We are talking about practical tips to support your mental and emotional wellbeing through the winter months, inspired by psychological insight and real-life experience.

In this episode of the podcast we look at debunking some myths around vulnerability and how firms can better serve vulnerable customers. Head of Research and Insight for the CII Group and lead author of 'Managing customer vulnerability in insurance and personal finance' Vanessa Riboloni, is joined in conversation by co-author Martin Grimwood, Director of FWD Consulting and Mandy Hunt, Managing Director Shape Underwriting. Read the guide here: https://media.umbraco.io/ciigroup-dxp/eaedofqi/managing-customer-vulnerability-in-insurance-and-personal-finance-a-practical-implementation-guide.pdf

On this podcast we focus on Bridging the Protection Gap in Commonwealth Countries, with Francis de Zulueta & Robbie Lyle from the Commonwealth Insurance Forum.

Recorded at this year's PFS National Conference, which took place at the Excel in London on Thursday 13 November 2025, this special podcast captures content from the event, along with interviews with some of the speakers, delegates and members of the PFS Board. You can watch recordings of the sessions here: https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&eventid=5128355&sessionid=1&key=14DC1EE2A834D325CE6995EFB065431A&groupId=6431472&sourcepage=register

You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/v9Z77HnQKCM

In this episode, we explore what “vulnerability” really means in the claims journey and why it matters more than ever. 

 Our guests' share their insights on identifying vulnerable customers, designing inclusive claims processes, and embedding vulnerability management into firm culture.

Drawing on the Chartered Insurance Institute’s latest report on Managing Vulnerability in the Insurance and Personal Finance profession, we discuss practical steps for insurers to go beyond the comfortable minimum and deliver genuine, lasting change for customer outcomes.

Joining the podcast this week is Claire Lashbrook, Director of Supply Chain at Claims Consortium Group, and Sarah Durkin, Head of Counter Fraud at Woodgate and Clark.

You can find a link to the CII's vulnerability report here: https://media.umbraco.io/ciigroup-dxp/eaedofqi/managing-customer-vulnerability-in-insurance-and-personal-finance-a-practical-implementation-guide.pdf

In this special episode of the Journal Podcast we provide some immediate reaction to the Budget 2025 in relation the insurance and financial planning professions. The episode was recorded on Wednesday 26 November.