In March 2025, we reported that Brazil had taken a significant step toward expanding its insurance sector with the introduction of Complementary Law No. 213/2025. The new legislation grants insurance cooperatives greater operational freedom, setting the stage for a more dynamic and inclusive market. Thank you to Helton Freitas, President, Seguros Unimed (Brazil) for his […]
In this blog, Catherine Hock, Senior Vice-President, International Relations, ICMIF, looks back over 20 years of collaboration between ICMIF and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Have you ever come across the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)? Did you know it has been around for more than sixty years (1961) ‘to […]
For various reasons, mutuals and cooperatives are uniquely positioned to build stronger relationships with their customers while enhancing service quality and operational efficiency. This stems from them being owned and governed by their customer and alignment of interests and a focus on long-term value over short-term profits. In this blog, Tina Blain, Vice-President, Member Services […]
Thanks to the United Nations 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), we have the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of our model and grow the global mutual and cooperative sector. In our guest blog from Andrew Whyte, Chief Executive of the Association of Financial Mutuals (AFM, UK), Andrew reflects on the UK Government’s promise to […]
Last year, Georgina Compton, Manager, Member Intelligence, and Nick Dwyer, Manager, Financial Research, sent out a survey to ICMIF members, asking them about their use of artificial intelligence (AI), their plans for the future, and any concerns they have about the use of AI in insurance. Now, almost a year later, the two reflect on […]
Dr Marie Ekström is a senior climate advisor with the Climate and Sustainability team at the global re-insurance broker and ICMIF Supporting Member Gallagher Re. With a background in climate science, Marie has 20+ years of academic and government research experience across a wide range of topics, often interdisciplinary and generally in a climate change […]
For decades, cooperatives have been a driving force behind Kenya’s economic and social transformation, empowering millions through collective resource mobilisation, job creation, and poverty reduction. With over 14 million members spanning key sectors such as agriculture and financial services, cooperatives play a vital role in the country’s financial growth. However, as cooperatives grow and evolve, […]
In this guest blog, Izak Smit, Group Chief Executive Officer, PPS (South Africa) shares his thoughts on how insurance can go beyond financial protection to actively shape a safer, more resilient, and happier world with insurance as a cornerstone of global well-being, not just a safety net. PPS is the only mutual financial services company […]
As the new CEO of the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF), I am deeply honoured to lead this vibrant global network into an exciting era. Building on the remarkable legacy of Shaun Tarbuck, I am inspired by the progress we have made as a sector and the opportunities that lie ahead. Reflecting on […]
In this guest blog, Donna Carbell, Executive Vice-President, Individual Insurance and Brand Impact, Equitable (Canada) shares her insights on how mutual insurance companies are both relevant and successful in the current insurance landscape. We are pleased to share this guest blog from Donna for the benefit of ICMIF members, which is reproduced here with permission. […]