Insurance & Actuarial
December 2025
Insurance & Actuarial: 2026 Talent Insights
After a year of pricing pressure and increasing competition, the insurance industry is entering 2026 with a refined hiring focus. From regional expansion strategies to shifts in automation and workforce structure, insurers are becoming more selective and strategic about how and where they hire.
In this video, Curtis Browning, Director & Head of Insurance Europe at Selby Jennings, shares his perspective on the latest hiring shifts in insurance and actuarial, and what employers and professionals should prepare for in the year ahead. The insights are also explored in the written summary below.
What changed in insurance and actuarial in 2025, and how did that impact hiring?
"The market softened in 2025, with lower premiums and increased competition between insurers. As a result, hiring slowed and became more targeted. Clients moved away from volume-based growth hiring, instead focusing on filling clearly defined, business-critical roles.
"London remained a major insurance hub, but its saturation became a limitation. With high talent density and equally high competition, many businesses looked beyond the UK capital to expand their presence. European markets offered a more attractive balance of available talent and reduced competition, often at a lower cost. This trend drove a noticeable shift toward hiring in localised, less saturated markets."
What should firms and professionals prioritise in 2026?
"Flexibility will be key to successful hiring in 2026. Clients who hold rigid expectations on experience, budget, or seniority often struggle to move quickly or secure the best candidates. Firms should be open-minded, whether that means hiring junior professionals with long-term potential, or investing slightly more for experienced talent who can deliver impact immediately.
"For employers, building deeper relationships with talent partners is more important than ever. Success isn’t just about matching a CV to a job spec. It’s about understanding your team culture, business priorities, and growth goals. Those who take the time to collaborate closely with their talent partner are consistently able to hire more effectively and efficiently.
"Candidates, in turn, are asking more than just “what’s the job?”. They want to know what the organisation stands for, how their role fits into the broader team, and what development opportunities exist. Firms that can clearly communicate this will be better placed to secure and retain top talent."
How is AI and automation changing roles in insurance?
"Automation continues to reshape the insurance workforce, especially in lower-skilled or process-heavy roles. Manual tasks are increasingly handled by technology, allowing professionals to focus on higher-value, strategic work.
"Rather than reducing headcount, this shift is about improving role quality. With automation removing repetitive admin, professionals are free to engage in more impactful, enjoyable parts of their roles – whether that’s advising clients, analysing complex data, or supporting business growth initiatives.
"This evolution also reinforces the need for insurers to invest in development. As junior talent enters the workforce, they must be equipped with the skills to thrive in a more automated, strategic environment."
To discuss your hiring plans for 2026 or explore current insurance and actuarial opportunities, request a call back or browse open roles.
FAQ: Insurance & actuarial hiring, careers & compensation in 2026
Actuarial hiring is strongest in pricing, reserving, capital modelling, and risk. There's growing demand for data scientists and actuaries with experience in automation, predictive modelling, and ESG. In P&C and reinsurance especially, firms are expanding teams to address digital transformation, climate risk, and regulatory change.
Whether you’re expanding your team or searching for your next role, Selby Jennings can help as a leading specialist recruitment partner in the insurance & actuarial sector. Request a call back from the team to learn more.
Beyond traditional actuarial expertise, employers want professionals with programming (Python, R, SQL), experience with actuarial software (e.g. Prophet, Igloo), and the ability to apply data analytics to underwriting, pricing, and risk forecasting. AI literacy and the ability to collaborate across functions are also becoming critical.
Start with a clear brief and fast, structured hiring process. Delays or unclear expectations often lead to lost talent. Firms that can offer good career progression opportunities, flexible working, and show their innovation (e.g. use of AI) will attract stronger candidates.
Selby Jennings can support by refining your hiring process, providing targeted shortlists, and benchmarking your offer strategy. Request a call back to improve your recruitment outcomes.
Retention improves with visible progression paths, access to technical development, and engagement in cross-functional projects – particularly in analytics and AI. High-performing talent expects performance-linked rewards, hybrid flexibility, and a sense of impact.
If your retention is suffering, Selby Jennings can assess your team structure and offer tailored solutions. Speak to a specialist consultant today for more insight.
Strong exam progress and statistical grounding are expected, but what sets candidates apart is experience applying data analytics to solve business problems. Proficiency in Python or R, familiarity with machine learning tools, and a track record of automating manual processes are all increasingly valuable.
Focus on explaining the business impact of your work. Be ready to walk through models you've built, tools you’ve used, and the results you delivered. Interviewers will likely test both your technical knowledge and your ability to communicate clearly with non-technical stakeholders.
Yes. Firms are actively looking for actuarial professionals who can apply AI and analytics to real-world scenarios with strategy and impact. Highlight specific tools (e.g. Python, SQL), models you’ve built (e.g. GLMs, stochastic models), and the outcomes delivered (e.g. improved pricing accuracy or operational efficiency).
Create an account with Selby Jennings and upload your CV, and we’ll connect you with industry-leading insurance & actuarial roles tailored to your experience and career goals.
Expect a mix of technical and scenario-based questions:
- Walk me through a recent model you built.
- How do you estimate reserves under uncertainty?
- What’s your experience with capital modelling frameworks?
- How would you explain a complex model to a non-technical stakeholder?
Practising clear, concise responses is key. For more support, partnering with a specialist like Selby Jennings means you’ll receive hands-on guidance throughout your job search – from interview preparation to offer negotiation. We represent your interests clearly and professionally, helping you secure the right role with confidence. Register with us to begin.