Senior leaders in insurance, financial services and other regulated industries know that a single mis-hire can carry heavy costs, whether disrupted teams or risks to compliance. But did you know that up to 89% of new hire failures come from poor cultural fit rather than lack of skills?

We need to get real here: AI isn’t on the horizon anymore – it’s embedded in every part of the insurance value chain. From elements like fraud detection and policy underwriting to automating claims and modelling climate risks, AI is here to stay. It’s also moving fast.

Diversity and inclusion are vital components of a resilient, forward-thinking business strategy, not just values. Right now, leadership teams are under immense pressure to demonstrate profitability alongside responsibility, and D&I sits firmly at the intersection of risk, compliance and competitive edge.

When most people think about company culture, they think of ping pong tables, happy hour or a slap up meal somewhere fancy. But what about culture in the technical heart of a business? The people solving complex problems under pressure and with precision. In these environments, culture can feel more like a nice to have rather than a core strategy, but the truth is that a healthy culture is what makes a technical team unstoppable.