The Professional Map

Purpose of the Professional Map

The Map defines what "good" looks like for insurance professionals at every stage of their career. It is a market-led, research-based competency framework built around behaviours, enablers, and technical expertise, and it helps individuals, managers, and employers assess capability, plan development, support recruitment, and improve customer outcomes.

How the Map Was Developed

The framework is grounded in extensive research: over 160 interviews with practitioners across levels and sectors, more than 200 engagements with technical, regulatory, HR, and L&D experts, and a review of existing CII frameworks, regulatory codes, apprenticeship standards, and future-skills research. It is continually updated through ongoing market intelligence, so it stays current rather than static.

The Three-Part Structure

The Map is organised into three component groups:

•          Behaviours — interpersonal, intellectual, and ethical qualities expected of all professionals (e.g. curiosity, customer focus, drive to deliver, impact, inclusivity, insight, integrity).

•          Enablers — knowledge and activities that support effective performance (ethics & compliance, data & technology, core practice).

•          Technical Expertise — role-specific knowledge and skills (underwriting, claims, broking, protection advice, supporting functions).

Four Progressive Bands

Career expectations are set out across four bands, from entry-level delivery through to strategic leadership. Competencies are cumulative, meaning each higher band builds on the expectations of the bands below it.

Practical Application Across a Career

Ultimately, the Map is a practical tool: it creates a consistent, future-ready standard for insurance professionalism, supports career development, competency-based recruitment, and regulatory confidence, and strengthens organisational culture and customer outcomes — particularly for vulnerable customers.