In this blog, Jonathan Zhao, Global Insurance Leader of ICMIF Supporting Member EY, and Ben Telfer, Chief Membership Officer, ICMIF, discuss how mutual and cooperative insurers can strengthen their differentiation and drive purposeful growth in a rapidly changing insurance landscape. The blog draws on insights from the 2024 EY Global Mutual Insurance Market Scan, developed […]
ICMIF member the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) 2025 Mutual Growth Study Tour took Australian sector leaders to the UK and Europe from 31 August to 6 September 2025. Across London, Paris, Frankfurt and Rome, the tour examined how mutuals and co-operatives are innovating for growth, navigating regulation and staying true to member […]
In recent years, emerging market debt (EMD) has become a fixture in insurance general account portfolios, with investors drawn in by the possibility of a range of potential benefits amid ongoing global uncertainty. However, as ever with insurers, it is not a case of one-size-fits-all. In this blog, James Hayes, Head of Insurance Client Team […]
Alan Waddington, Director of Distribution at ICMIF member Cirencester Friendly, uses the story of MySpace’s decline to highlight the risks of losing touch with members. In the protection industry, he argues, annual reviews are a vital opportunity to engage with members, ensure cover remains suitable, and reinforce the value of protection. Far from prompting cancellations, […]
Mutual and cooperative insurers stand apart in today’s financial services landscape because their purpose is to serve people, not shareholders. In this personal reflection, Matt Harvey, Chief Distribution and Marketing Officer, MAS (New Zealand) shares insights from more than 15 years of experience working in New Zealand’s mutual sector, including his current role at MAS. […]
In a crowded financial services market, mutuals offer something distinct. Our ownership structure shapes our decisions, reinforces our purpose and offers a meaningful alternative to shareholder-driven models. In today’s environment, where trust in financial institutions is under pressure, our model has fresh relevance. People are looking for providers who are transparent, ethical and committed to […]
In the seventh in a series of blogs published by e-MFP to celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives, Sabbir Patel of ICMIF Foundation and Matthew Genazzini of the Microinsurance Network discuss the role of cooperatives in scaling up inclusive insurance, what these partnerships can look like in practice, and what challenges have to be overcome […]
As a young professional at UK-based NFU Mutual, Dan Demmar’s visit to two ICMIF members in Canada, Wawanesa and Beneva, is a standout example of the value in being part of ICMIF. Through ICMIF’s support – both in brokering international connections and providing leadership training for emerging talent – he took part in a two-week […]
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, trust remains the cornerstone of meaningful innovation—especially in the life and health insurance sector. In this guest article, Pravina Ladva, Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer at ICMIF Supporting Member Swiss Re explores the findings of a new global survey, Trust in the era of GenAI, revealing that customers […]
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is seeing how the desire to develop and provide learning opportunities for emerging and mid-level leaders is growing across our global network of member organisations. Whether through our Advanced Management Course, the Virtual Young Leaders Programme or our virtual learning courses, it is truly encouraging to […]