Developing the next generation of mutual and cooperative leaders
Empower your emerging leaders with essential tools and mindsets to drive adaptability in today’s complex, rapidly evolving world. Available exclusively on-demand to ICMIF members, the Virtual Young Leaders Programme combines the flexibility of self-paced learning with the interactive benefits of live, virtual networking sessions. Through this blended format, emerging professionals will gain both practical skills for tackling complex challenges and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with peers from our global network of member organisations.
Early in 2024, ICMIF launched its Mutual Leadership: Adapting to a Complex World course, a foundational on-demand course helping leaders across our community thrive. Building on its success, the Young Leaders version of the course, the Virtual Young Leaders Programme, combines this powerful content with interactive networking sessions, creating a tailored experience specifically for the next generation. With a flexible structure, this programme offers young professionals access to high-impact video modules and live sessions that deepen learning, foster collaboration, and expand professional networks.
Since its launch in 2025, the programme has brought together 114 young leaders from 32 ICMIF members across 17 countries. Many described it as immediately valuable in their day-to-day work, highlighting the practical tools they gained and the chance to connect with peers from around the world for rich, engaging conversations about leadership in the mutual insurance sector.
Dates for 2027 will be shared soon when ICMIF will once again invite young leaders from its member organisations to get involved.
Programme highlights
- On-demand content: Featuring insights grounded in behavioural science, each module offers actionable strategies for navigating complexity, making impactful decisions, and fostering effective teamwork. With accessible video modules, participants can learn at their own pace, ensuring that learning fits into even the busiest schedules.
- Interactive networking sessions: Six live, virtual sessions provide an opportunity to discuss course content with peers, explore real-world applications, and engage in meaningful networking. These sessions reinforce the concepts that have been learnt and foster collaborative learning.
Who should attend?
This programme is ideal for emerging leaders within mutual and cooperative insurers who are ready to build their resilience and adaptability in today’s dynamic environment. Participants will be young professionals eager to grow their skills and also connect with peers across the ICMIF community, including those who may not have had the opportunity to attend our in-person events.
Key benefits
- Flexible learning experience: With modules designed for on-demand access, participants can build skills on their own schedule and engage with the content at their pace.
- Real-world application: Each session includes practical, adaptable frameworks that can be applied directly to work settings, providing immediate impact on participants’ professional growth.
- Enhanced peer network: By attending the live sessions, participants will establish a supportive, professional network that strengthens their leadership development.
Register now and equip yourself or one or more of your Young Leaders with the tools, mindsets and network to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Programme
The ICMIF Virtual Young Leaders Programme 2026 fee was GBP 500, inclusive of all on-demand content and virtual networking sessions.
On-demand content available immediately upon registration.
Networking session dates
ICMIF will provide six live sessions to support flexible participation options across different time zones. Typically, virtual sessions take place with participants having a choice between 8:00-9:00 (GMT/BST); 15:00-16:00 (GMT/BST); or 20:00-21:00 (GMT/BST)*.
Dates for 2027 to be confirmed soon.
For more information about the Virtual Young Leaders Programme, download the course flyer, or contact Mike Ashurst, Senior Vice-President, Reinsurance & Learning, to discuss the programme and the benefits for you and/or your organisation.
If you would like details of all ICMIF learning services in one place, download the full ICMIF Learning Services brochure.
“The ICMIF Young Leaders Programme was one of the best training programs I have been lucky enough to participate in. The content was terrific and immediately impactful on my day to day, it also provided some great jumping off points to dig deeper into some fascinating concepts. However, the best part of the program was the opportunity to connect with mutual employees at similar career points around the world, the conversations were insightful, fun and engaging. I highly recommend this programme to any early career mutual professional with leadership aspirations!”
Alan Johnston, Data and Business Analytics Manager, Ayr Farmers Mutual (Canada)
"I really enjoyed participating in the ICMIF Virtual Young Leaders Programme It was great connecting with other young leaders in mutuals across New Zealand and around the world to share ideas and learn from their experiences. The sessions were engaging and provided helpful frameworks and tools to apply in my role and my wider team."
Nick Swiney, Life and Investment Manager, MAS (New Zealand)
"Another awesome session—thank you! I’m loving the content and how well it aligns with my work in change management. It’s incredibly valuable, and I’ve already been recommending it to others in my field."
Alana Tousain, Change Manager, FMG (New Zealand)
“The ICMIF Virtual Young Leaders Programme has been an invaluable experience. It offered new perspectives on change management that I would not have considered on my own. The global networking aspect was particularly impactful – connecting with peers from around the world who are facing similar challenges created a strong sense of shared experience and reassurance.”
David Collier, Manager, Product Development, Sandbox Mutual Insurance (Canada)
"The ICMIF Virtual Young Leaders Programme was a thoroughly enjoyable initiative, which I’d recommend to any young professionals out there. Blending leadership skills with the opportunity to network globally, the programme provided me with tangible skills that I’ve brought back to my own organisation, and a network of likeminded professionals who I can draw upon for support at any time. A personal highlight has been the opportunity to observe how, despite being from diverse organisations across the world, we all share strong Cooperative / Mutual values in our approach to problem-solving, collaboration and customer centricity. Overall, the programme been an invaluable next step in my career development."
Dhanyal Demmar, Compliance Consultant, NFU Mutual (UK)
"From the very first module, there is a genuine connection: you learn, reflect, and—most importantly—you can immediately apply what you learn in your daily life.
Each module provided me with valuable tools that I have already started applying in my day-to-day life and that will undoubtedly continue to strengthen my personal and professional development. The course’s practical case studies, along with the cultural exchanges and diverse perspectives from other professionals, were especially enriching. These interactions not only expanded my professional network, but also allowed me to understand how other leaders think as they face challenges similar to my own."
Luis Alejandro Meneses Mora, Analista de Comunicación, Sociedad de Seguros de Vida del Magisterio Nacional (Costa Rica)
"The programme is a great opportunity to get deeper theoretical insight into complex problem solving and sharing perspectives with peers. After each session, I could take something back and apply in my daily work to improve my own way of thinking about complex problems or in the dialogue with colleagues."
Stine Krag Nielsen, Product Manager, LB Group (Denmark)