In 2012, BILA (AIDA’s UK Chapter) created a Future Insurance Professionals Group aimed at staging events for students in universities and other vocational training establishments contemplating careers in insurance law or the insurance market. Its activities were then superseded by the creation of the BILA Under 35s Committee, (in 2018 re-named BILA Young Professionals).

The aims of the BILA Young Professionals are:

  1. To enable junior lawyers and market practitioners in legal-related fields across insurance, private practice, the Bar and academia to develop closer ties with their peers; and
  2. To deepen their understanding of legal and practical problems to be confronted by the market in future years.

Social and educational events are also arranged to further its purpose in encouraging future insurance professionals.

At least one member of the BILA Young Professionals continues to be invited each month to attend BILA Committee meetings to report upon their activities and to seek support or collaboration of the main Committee in the pursuit of its objectives.

Their inaugural event was a presentation delivered by Inga Beale, the first female CEO of Lloyd’s of London, on 20 April 2016 followed by drinks. Subsequent events have included a mixture of social e.g. (gin-tasting networking events) and educational activities (e.g. a mock trial and speed mentoring) held in London, also in Bristol.

On 23 March 2018 they co-staged their first international event in conjunction with Young AIDA France: a two-hour session of presentations and discussion followed by cocktails and canapes at the offices of Willis Towers Watson in London on the topic: “One Year to Go: Is the Insurance Market ready for Brexit?”. 

Other initiatives pursued by BILA in support of young members include:

  • Reduced BILA membership subscription and conference/event registration rates for students and academic institutions
  • Through BILA’s Charitable Trust, annual/regular sponsoring of AIDA Europe Conference Calls for Papers; University Insurance Law Moot prizes; other bursaries/financial support for research students/projects.
  • BILA also awards an annual BILA Journal Article Prize which has in the past been on by younger contributors.
  • Liaison encouraged between BILA Young Professionals members and counterparts in Australia (AILA) and elsewhere.

To keep up to date with what they are doing, their events and how anyone can get involved visit: https://bila.org.uk/about/young-professionals/