Family-friendly policies are becoming a defining feature of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies across the insurance and long-term savings sector, according to the Association of British Insurers’ (ABI) latest progress update.

Data from the ABI’s DEI Blueprint Report showed a sharp rise in support for different routes to parenthood, with 66 per cent of insurance firms now offering surrogacy support and 69 per cent offering IVF support - increases of 13 and 19 percentage points respectively since 2022.

The ABI said the shift reflected “growing recognition” that inclusive parenthood policies are essential to building a supportive workplace culture.

The update also highlighted progress in helping employees return to work, with 46 per cent of firms now offering returnship programmes after parental or extended leave, up from 33 per cent in 2022.

Meanwhile, all ABI members continued to offer formal flexible working options, which the trade body stated remained "critical" for employees balancing family and caring responsibilities.

The Blueprint, which provides a multi-year roadmap for improving representation and workplace culture, also showed advances in how firms collected and used DEI data.

Indeed, nearly six in ten members now collect socio-economic background data - up from 51 per cent in 2023 - while the proportion gathering neurodiversity data has risen to 61 per cent, from 47 per cent in 2022.

Progress on representation has also continued.

Women now make up 36 per cent of director-level roles, up from 31 per cent last year, while ethnic minority representation at director level has increased from 7 to 9 per cent.

However, board-level ethnic diversity has declined to 8 per cent, from 11 per cent in 2023.

Firms have also stepped up efforts to engage future talent, with ABI members welcoming
2,622 young people on structured work experience programmes in 2024, sharply up from 288 in 2022.

ABI manager of DEI and customer outcomes, Liisa Antola, said the sector’s progress demonstrated a “clear commitment to building inclusive cultures that reflect the diverse communities we serve”.

“The insurance and long-term savings industry touches millions of lives across the UK, making it vital that our workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve,” she continued.

“From better support for working parents to stronger engagement with the incoming workforce, this report shows encouraging progress, and we look forward to building on this further.

“We are already working closely with members and stakeholders to build on the foundations of our DEI Blueprint and drive lasting change across the industry in 2026 and beyond.

“Our aim may be bold, but it still stands; we remain committed to becoming the most diverse, equitable and inclusive sector of the UK economy,” Antola added.

Looking ahead, the ABI said its next phase of work will expand DEI data collection, strengthen workplace culture expectations and continue to push for progress on representation at all levels.

With the government prioritising the disability employment gap, the association will also explore new ways to support disabled workers across the sector.

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