The Journal Podcast

Can everything be insured? And what happens when it can't? As risks become increasingly complex, interconnected and difficult to predict, the insurance industry's ability to protect society is facing some fundamental questions. In our latest podcast, we're joined by Dr Ilker Aslan, researcher, lecturer and former treaty reinsurance underwriter, to explore three major challenges facing the profession: 🔹 The protection gap: Why is the gap between insured and uninsured losses continuing to widen despite record levels of reinsurance capital? 🔹 The AI question: Could the risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence ever be insurable, or are some threats simply beyond the capacity of insurance markets? 🔹 The role of government: When private insurance cannot absorb catastrophic losses, who ultimately picks up the bill? Drawing on his research and industry experience, Ilker challenges some of the assumptions surrounding risk transfer, resilience and the future role of our profession.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) affect around 10,000 people in the UK, yet awareness of these rare neurodegenerative conditions remains strikingly low. In this episode of The Journal Podcast, host Luke Holloway speaks with James Cusack, Chief Executive of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association (PSPA), about the realities of living with PSP and CBD, the challenges of diagnosis, and the vital support available to patients and their families. The conversation explores the financial impact these conditions can have, from lost income and care costs to home adaptations and specialist equipment. For insurance and financial planning professionals, it's a powerful reminder of the role that protection, long-term financial planning and community support can play when life takes an unexpected turn. To learn more about the work of PSPA, click here: https://www.pspassociation.org.uk/

Workplace injuries are widespread across UK film, television and theatre production, yet many never appear in claims data. So what does this mean for insurers trying to understand the levels of risk? In this episode of the Journal podcast, Vanessa Riboloni speaks with Injury Prevention Consultancy (IPC) founder, Tome Levi, about the safety and reporting gaps facing the entertainment sector. They explore why performers may feel pressured to work through injuries, how a single incident can affect an entire production, and why low claims frequency does not necessarily indicate low risk. The discussion also considers how better reporting, earlier insurer involvement and more accurate risk profiling could encourage safer working practices and help the market get ahead of potential exposures. To read more about the IOI Report 2024 findings, please click here: thisisipc.com/s/IPCIOI24REPORT.pdf To find out more about the June 2026 roundtable discussion, click here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://media.umbraco.io/ciigroup-dxp/a2inft4i/ipc-rt-220726.pdf

How do insurers protect businesses against terrorism, civil unrest, and war? In the latest Journal Podcast, we explore the unpredictable world of Political Violence & Terrorism Insurance. 🎙️ We discuss: ✅ The risks this specialist cover protects against ✅ How geopolitical tensions are shaping the insurance market ✅ The challenges of underwriting an increasingly unpredictable world ✅ Why this area of insurance offers such a fascinating career path Joining the podcast is James Thomas, Head of Specialty, and Akash Singh, Senior Exposure Analyst, both from Antares.

Can capital markets help solve insurance's biggest challenges? In this episode of The Journal Podcast, we speak to Commonwealth Insurance Forum founders Robbie Lyle and Francis de Zulueta, about growing global risks and the role insurance-linked securities can play in closing the protection gap. From catastrophe bonds to cyber risk, we explore how insurance-linked securities are reshaping the way risk is financed in the global insurance market.

In this episode, we are joined by Eddie Grant, Disability and Access Ambassador for Insurance, and Kate Headley, co-founder and CEO of The Clear Company, a leading culture, diversity and inclusion consultancy. Kate was appointed Disability and Access Ambassador for Recruitment in 2022 and is a leading voice in helping organisations create more inclusive workplaces. We'll discuss the progress being made towards greater disability inclusion across UK workplaces. We'll explore the role of the Disability and Access Ambassadors, the impact of the Keep Britain Working review, what organisations can do to move beyond compliance and create genuinely inclusive cultures, and how sectors such as insurance and financial planning can play a leading role in improving outcomes for disabled people. You can find out more about the Disability Access Symposium here: www.cii.co.uk/cii-events/disabil…ss-symposium-2026/

Kidnap and ransom insurance is often seen as a niche product for high-profile individuals, but is that really the case? In this episode, we're joined by Alexander Beaton, Practice Leader of Kidnap, War and Piracy at CFC, to explore what K&R insurance covers, who needs it, how claims are managed in real-world crisis situations, and the emerging risks shaping the future of this specialist market — from geopolitical instability to AI-powered virtual kidnappings.

In the latest Journal Podcast episode, we explore the CII consultation on the role insurers can play in improving road safety for young drivers, following a report from the Coroner's office of Coventry and Warwickshire into the tragic deaths of Harry Purcell and Matilda (Tilly) Seccombe. We discuss: ✅ What the consultation is, it's purpose and impact on the insurance profession ✅ How telematics can move beyond pricing risk to helping reduce it ✅ Why better communication and transparency could increase trust among young drivers and parents ✅ The power of feedback, coaching and gamification to encourage safer driving habits Talking to us about this consultation are Adam Harper, Executive Director: Strategy, Advocacy & Professional Standards at the CII Group; Thomas Clarke, Motor Strategy Director, and Warren Carley, Vertical Principle, both from Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions. It's a fascinating discussion on the future of road safety, technology and insurance—and why collaboration across insurers, families and vehicle manufacturers matters more than ever. 🎧 Listen now To contribute to the CII consultation, please click here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=MXvnnpM1cUS8ZcFjr1z37Hyzz5cc1elDgyO71ib8bc9UOUdIMkVCRFEySDNNSURBUU5PQkQyRzhCVi4u&route=shorturl

In this episode of The Journal Podcast, as part of Awareness Week 2026, we’re joined by Helen Sanson, Chief Executive of The Insurance Charity, to explore how the organisation supports current and former insurance professionals facing financial hardship, health challenges, and other life-changing circumstances. We discuss the charity’s new strategy, growing support services, Awareness Week initiatives, and why raising awareness is more important than ever. You can find further support and more information from The Insurance Charity here: https://theinsurancecharity.org.uk/

In this episode of The Journal Podcast, following on from the Network Conference 2026, we speak to Laura Scott, President of the Insurance Institute of Sheffield, Andy Brown, President of the Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk & North Essex, and Kayleigh Penwill, former president of the Insurance Institute of Bolton, about their experiences at this year's conference, the great networking opportunities it provided and the work the Local Institutes provide for their members.