Recruitment: Insurance Sector Struggles to Shake Off `Boring’ Image

Is insurtech cool? Maybe so, but for other students the insurance sector as a whole seems to be a bit dullsville. To be fair many students regard any private sector employment as being inherently unethical, so it’s a tough job attracting younger talent. Maybe it’s a better strategy for the industry to recruit outside the UK university system, which would avoid hiring activists who want to change the world via gesture politics, rather than do a job to the best of their abilities?

Here’s the word;

A new student opinion survey conducted by SOS-UK on behalf of the Insure Tomorrow campaign reveals historic lows in insurance career prospects among future graduates, driven by a poor public image and concerns over the industry’s contribution to climate change. The survey, conducted in March 2025 among nearly 1,000 sampled students across the UK, paints a stark picture of the declining interest in careers within the sector.

When asked to describe insurance careers, students most frequently used the words ‘boring’, ‘dull’, ‘uninteresting’ and ‘soul-destroying’.  Concerns about the sector’s ethics were raised, describing the industry as ‘soulless’, ‘lucrative but unethical’ and ‘their job is not to help people’. One student said: ‘Been there. Done that. They are brutal and money-hungry companies. Needs reforming and controlling by the government.’

Alongside perceptions of low excitement and lack of purpose, growing climate concerns are compounding the industry’s difficulties. 75% of students surveyed agreed that insurers should focus on supporting environmentally beneficial projects such as renewable energy, and 68% said the industry should not insure projects that harm the environment.

Statement from the Insure Tomorrow campaign:

“These findings send a powerful message to the insurance industry. Today’s students demand more than just a salary. They are seeking meaningful, ethical careers—and they will vote with their feet when industries fall short of their values. The insurance sector is facing a steep recruitment crisis. Graduates will help, but only if insurers show they are serious about cutting ties with fossil fuels, improving their public image, and offering careers that align with a sustainable future. Without urgent change, the sector risks locking itself out of the next generation of talent.”

At a time when insurance firms are struggling to fill vacancies and facing stiff competition for graduate talent, the survey shows that failure to address both climate concerns and industry image could leave the sector facing a long-term workforce shortage.