The latest from LIIBA, as they look ahead to 2026 and meeting the challenges across the sector;
Accelerating growth in a softening market and reinforcing London’s position as the world’s leading specialty insurance centre will be at the heart of the London & International Insurance Brokers’ Association’s (LIIBA) agenda for 2026, published today.
As falling rates increase competition for global clients, LIIBA argues that sustainable growth will depend on making London faster, more efficient and more innovative – while ensuring the solutions delivered continue to reflect its reputation for specialist expertise and complex risk capability.
The Association says its members are the ‘engine room of growth’ not just for the insurance industry, but for the wider global economy. In response, LIIBA will focus its 2026 programme on two core priorities: redefining how digital trading supports commercial decision-making, and ensuring London remains the market where the world brings its most challenging risks.
Digital trading – filling the vision vacuum
LIIBA believes delivering the increased speed and efficiency required to compete globally will demand the next leap in the market’s use of technology. While the London market has made significant progress over the past quarter-century – moving from paper-based placing and claims to largely electronic transactions – it would, the agenda says, be “a stretch to claim we are the tech-driven marketplace some have advocated”.
Recent modernisation efforts have understandably focused on the delivery of Blueprint Two’s core systems replacement. While LIIBA stresses that this work remains vital, it argues that the restrained ambition of recent initiatives has left a “vision vacuum” around what comes next – at a time when rapid advances in data, automation and artificial intelligence mean approaches that were cutting-edge five years ago are already becoming obsolete.
Christopher Croft, Chief Executive of LIIBA, said:
“In a softening market, growth doesn’t come from standing still. It comes from improving the way clients access London’s expertise and ensuring we remain competitive, innovative and commercially focused. We have digitised transactions, but that is not the same as truly digital trading. In 2026, we want to ask what trading should actually look like in a digital world – and make sure that conversation is driven by traders, not technology theory.”
LIIBA stresses that this discussion must be grounded in commercial reality and healthy scepticism. There may not be a single market-wide answer, and not every class of business will be traded in the same way. While some risks may increasingly be placed by traders behind screens, LIIBA argues that London’s continued success as a global specialty centre depends on recognising that many complex and nuanced risks still require bespoke, human-led solutions.
To support this work, LIIBA will revive the cross-generational focus groups that informed its 2023 Our Face to Face Future report, exploring whether the future of digital trading is best delivered through collaborative market programmes, firm-level innovation, or a combination of both.
Ensuring London remains the market where the world takes risks
Alongside digital trading, LIIBA’s agenda places a renewed emphasis on London’s role as the market of choice for emerging and evolving risks. Drawing on its Innovation Imperative – why brokers matter more than ever report, the agenda highlights growing protection gaps driven by cyber dependency, climate volatility, geopolitical tension and the increasing dominance of intangible assets.
LIIBA argues these are not “uninsurable risks”, but risks that require innovation, broker-led client engagement and capital with the confidence to back new solutions. The Association warns that a tendency to exclude unfamiliar risks will not deliver the outcomes clients need, nor support growth at a time when London has a clear opportunity to lead.
In 2026, LIIBA will therefore lead work to design a framework that supports innovation in emerging risks, with implications for brokers, carriers and regulators alike, aimed at ensuring London continues to thrive as a global centre of excellence.
Government, regulation and market modernisation
The agenda also sets out plans to intensify engagement with governments and regulators to ensure policy frameworks support cross-border risk expertise at a time of rising protectionism. Domestically, LIIBA will continue to lobby for a proportionate supervisory approach from the Financial Conduct Authority, reflecting the limited consumer risk posed by brokers focused on commercial business.
LIIBA reiterates that delivery of Blueprint Two’s core systems replacement remains essential and will continue to support the programme through 2026, alongside practical reforms including the Market Reform Contract, Core Data Records and claims data standards. The Association will also expand its focus on emerging AI use cases, with member-focused sessions planned in areas such as KYC review, data extraction, geospatial analysis and contract building.
Facilities, claims and culture will remain priority areas, with continued work to ensure market infrastructure supports innovation, strengthens claims capability and develops talent. LIIBA will also deepen its work on inclusion, culture and skills under its belonging@LIIBA programme.
Croft added:
“If 2026 is the year we define a credible vision for digital trading, it must also be the year we recommit to growth, innovation and risk-taking. Our agenda is about moving from discussion to delivery – ensuring brokers are empowered to keep London competitive and at the forefront of global insurance.”
Be the first to comment