On retaining talent in the London Market: a conversation with PwC (353)

InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens

Attracting and retaining talent in the London Market is an evolving concern, with the PwC CEO Survey revealing that 93% of respondents either recognise the need to change or are already adapting their strategies to address it. Let’s discuss how!

In this special podcast episode done in partnership with PwC, we invited Anna Craston, Senior Manager, to host a panel discussion to explore the critical trends shaping talent management in the London insurance market.

She’s joined by fellow PwC colleague Simone Ritson, Phoebe Thomas from CFC, Jacinta Chiang from WTW and Alfie Holt from Marco Capital to share their firsthand experiences and insights.

Together, they discuss how companies can build inclusive cultures, the shifting expectations of new talent and what organisations must do to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. This episode dives deep into why attracting diverse talent is just the beginning and why inclusion, development and purpose are the real keys to retention.

Key talking points:

• Understand why changing employee expectations are reshaping the London insurance market.
• Learn how AI, automation, and technology are driving new workforce capabilities.
• Explore the historic challenges in attracting diverse talent to the London market — and how that's starting to change.
• Examine the impact of culture, career growth, and leadership development on employee retention.
• Discover the importance of outreach programs to schools and universities in broadening insurance career awareness.
• Hear why inclusion, not just diversity, is critical for long-term workforce engagement.
• See how mentorship, reverse mentoring, and visible career pathways can support retention.
• Get practical ideas for fostering inclusion, from flexible working to cultural days and accessible networking events.

For more information, you can read PwC’s Transforming the London Market report.

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Continuing Professional Development

This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.

By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:

• Describe the current challenges and evolving expectations around attracting and retaining talent in the London market.
• Explain how diversity and inclusion initiatives can move from hiring strategies to meaningful cultural change that fosters retention.
• Identify the most effective strategies companies can use to make the London insurance market more appealing to diverse, next-generation talent.

If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 351 page of the InsTech website or email [email protected] to let us know you have listened to this podcast.

To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.