Mentoring Scheme 2026

Applications now open – Deadline: Friday 28th August 2026

The Insurance Institute of Manchester is proud to launch a brand new cross disciplinary Mentoring Scheme designed to accelerate the growth of junior insurance professionals and strengthen collaboration across the insurance and legal sectors.

Running over a focused 12 week period from September to November 2026, this programme pairs early career insurance professionals with experienced legal professionals and provides three high impact evening workshops to build strategic confidence, communication skills and long term career clarity.

Whether you work in claims, underwriting or operations, this programme will support you in developing the professional awareness, commercial insight and cross sector relationships needed to thrive in today’s insurance market.

Why join the programme?
Build strategic confidence
Learn how to communicate more effectively with legal teams, strengthen your decision making under pressure and translate day to day casework into high value strategic conversations.

Expand your professional network
Connect with experienced legal professionals and fellow insurance professionals, building trusted relationships that support both your current role and your long term career.

Accelerate your career development
Explore future career pathways, identify your professional strengths and gaps, and gain practical tools to map out your next steps in the industry.

Learn through real world application
Each session blends interactive workshops, peer discussions and live exercises to ensure you can immediately apply your new skills to your everyday work.

Programme structure
This 12 week programme includes:

Three evening workshops with all sessions taking place in person at 6:00pm. (Venue to be confirmed).

• Session 1 – Launch & mentoring foundations
  • Wednesday 16th September
  • Introduction to mentors, set expectations and begin building your cross sector network. (Attendance required for both mentees and mentors.)
• Session 2 – Strategic communication masterclass
  • Wednesday 21st October
  • A deep dive into high value communication skills, including BLUF frameworks, strategic questioning and proactive agenda setting. (Mentees only.)
• Session 3 – Future proofing
  • Thursday 19th November
  • Reflect on your progress, map out future career horizons and design a long term professional development plan. (Mentees only.)

Independent mentoring meetings

You will meet with your mentor 1–2 times between each workshop. Your mentor will help guide your development but you will lead the logistics, agenda and preparation.

What you’ll gain
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Communicate strategically and confidently with legal teams
• Build stronger, more effective cross disciplinary relationships
• Identify clear career pathways within insurance and adjacent legal fields
• Apply structured frameworks to mentoring, networking and professional conversations
• Feel more confident navigating the insurance - legal ecosystem

Entry criteria

• You DO need to be a CII member to apply. We welcome applicants who:
  
  • Who work in any Insurance discipline (claims, underwriting, operations, etc.)
  • Are enthusiastic about professional development
  • Are keen to build meaningful industry relationships

How to apply
1.    Check you meet the entry criteria
2.    Complete the Mentoring Scheme Application Form
3.    Email your completed form to manchesterinsurancecii@gmail.com 

Application deadline: Friday 28th August 2026