Young Professionals Group

About Us

The IRLA Young Professionals Group (YPG) is a platform for those new to the legacy market, from all disciplines, working in and with the insurance and reinsurance industry, to network, share experience, learn new skills and develop talent. Membership of the YPG is through your organisation’s corporate membership – if you wish to enjoy YPG benefits please contact us to find out if your company is a member.

The IRLA YPG aims to make an active contribution to the legacy sector by organising regular networking events and providing a series of accredited training sessions which promote:

• peer interaction –  better connecting young professionals and laying the foundations of industry communication for the future

• personal development – providing an opportunity to learn and progress within the industry

• development of relationships – by interaction in peer groups as well as with more senior members of the market

• building skills – by providing interactive sessions to help build both technical and personal communication skills.

LinknLearn and other YPG events

The YPG’s LinknLearn sessions provide members with the opportunity to join in professional training, either as a presenter or participant, with peers in all areas of the legacy sector. Previous LinknLearn sessions include: An Introduction to the London Market, M&A and Restructuring; A Mock Arbitration, Possible Future Claims; and the Basics of Solvency II. These sessions are followed by networking drinks.

As well as the LinknLearn sessions, the YPG also host several social events.

All YPG are also encouraged to attend the learning and development sessions and social events with the wider IRLA group. IRLA aims to provide every YPG member with up to 12 hours free CPD each year. Click here for the events diary.

Benefits of being a YPG Member

• Access to YPG specific events including CPD Accredited LinknLearn (free of charge) and social events

• Access to IRLA events including training, networking and social events

• *Discounted prices on Academy courses

• Opportunities to speak and meet directly with respected members in the industry

• An opportunity to be nominated for the IRLA YPG of the Year Award (see below)

• Involvement in IRLA’s mentoring programme

*following attendance of the preceding LinknLearn event (free of charge)

The IRLA YPG was launched in 2013 under the chairmanship of Hannah Vaughan, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Since inception, membership has grown to almost 470 members.

IRLA Future Leaders Award 2023

This Award was introduced to recognise a young professional employed in the legacy market and the criteria for this Award is as follows:

• Achieving outstanding business outcomes
or
• Recognised for outstanding customer/client service
or
• A one to watch for future leadership

The recognition is not just about contribution to the profits or prestige of an employer, but also in having an external awareness of the sector from both a personal development and with a professional attitude in all of their business dealings.

The 2023 Award was presented at Congress, May 09, 2023 to Richard Burrows, from Weightmans, Liverpool. Richard, who is also the YPG Chairman and IRLA Director, has been acknowledged for being a ‘pleasure to work with’, and for ‘setting an example to all.” He is highly valued by his colleagues and peers.

A full list of the winners can be found here

IRLA YPG Mentoring Scheme

The IRLA YPG mentoring program is a relationship outside of the reporting line that helps individuals to develop their skills, knowledge and behaviours in order to move successfully through the different stages in their careers. The intent of a mentoring relationship is to match a more experienced person who acts
as a listener and guide to a person with less experience in whatever area of business or personal development.

Through the IRLA mentoring program, we aim at pairing experienced leaders and talents from the legacy industry in a mentor-mentee relationship.

IRLA Ambassador role

Click here for more information

The IRLA Young Professionals Group believe that an important principle of leadership is to set a positive example regarding fair and ethical behaviour, and that IRLA members will respond positively in their own behaviours based on what they see of the Committee’s conduct. To this end our Corporate Social Responsibility aims can be found here.

IRLA Future Leaders and being a Committee member

This is a prestigious but voluntary role, requesting the following minimum commitment:

• Attend one committee meeting per month (maybe online or face to face meetings)
• Assist with “YPG guest meet and greet” at IRLA events
• Participate in YPG introductions at IRLA courses
• Proactively take up tasks such as generating relevant news and ideas, supporting the organisation of IRLA’s YPG events etc

You can find out more here