How to Join Us
New members to The Worshipful Company of Insurers are very welcome. Why not consider joining us? Click here for our Membership Leaflet.
Membership of The Worshipful Company of Insurers can be a rewarding, enjoyable and career-enhancing experience. It’s a rare opportunity to step outside the daily routine of corporate life and meet professionally and socially with your industry peers in a unique environment.
We exist to promote excellence within the insurance industry but also place great emphasis on the philanthropic contribution we can make to the wider community in the finest traditions of London’s Livery Companies. And where else would you have the opportunity to take an active part in the colourful pageantry and ancient customs of the City of London that only a Livery Company can offer?
Become a member
All new applicants are expected to be professionally qualified in insurance and/or have the necessary experience from having held senior management, or academic positions where insurance has played a prominent part, for instance as a lawyer or an accountant. In addition to an annual membership fee – traditionally called Quarterage – plus a one off joining fee, there is also a commitment to make a modest annual contribution to support the work of the Company’s charitable trust.
Every Livery Company has two categories of membership: Freemen/Freewomen and Liverymen/Liverywomen
Becoming a Freeman/Freewoman
The first membership step is to apply to become a Freeman/Freewoman of the Company, which means you must be proposed and seconded by two Liverymen/women. A Freeman/Freewoman may attend most of the Company’s events and bring guests.
A Freeman/Freewoman will also usually wish to apply to become a Freeman/Freewoman of the City of London. Membership of this exclusive group is conducted at a private ceremony in the Guildhall to which family and friends can be invited. Gaining the Freedom of the City is a necessary step if you wish to progress to become a Liveryman/woman.
Once membership as a Freeman or Freewoman is confirmed you are eligible to join the various committees that support the work of the Company, although membership of the Court is only open to Liverymen and Liverwomen (see opposite).
Becoming a Liveryman/Liverywoman
A Liveryman/Liverywoman is a full member of the Company. As we are limited, like every Livery Company, to 500 Liverymen/Liverywomen by the Court of Aldermen, progression to the Livery is subject to selection and vacancies.
The process: The list of all members is reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Master, Wardens, and Clerk’s Office and it is agreed who should be approached. The Clerk’s office assembles draft lists of candidates for the three intakes that coincide with the WCI Court Meetings in November, March and July at which the clothing ceremonies, following the freedom ceremonies at Guildhall, take place.
These Court Meetings also coincide with the three events - Installation Dinner, Winter Lunch and Election Court Lunch.
Recommendations for livery from Committee Chairs are most welcome.
The criteria: The criteria for selection to be clothed as Liverymen, or Liverywomen, is as follows:
- Must have been a member of the Company for a minimum of 18 months (unless specifically fast tracked, due to a distinguished market or city-civic profile).
- Must show willingness to be involved with the Livery activities, in terms of volunteering for working groups, committees or general assistance in some form
- Should be attending some formal and informal events
Once ’clothed in the Livery’ you are entitled, after a period, to additional honours such as eligibility to vote for the Lord Mayor of London.
Moving up: Only Liverymen/Liverywomen may become Court Assistants, and this again is by invitation. Once on the Court – our governing body – you then have the opportunity to be elected as a Warden and ultimately, Master of the Company.
Some Masters of the Worshipful Company of Insurers have gone on to become Sheriffs or Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Becoming an Associate
The Associate programme is an opportunity for younger members to experience the livery at a reduced cost for up to two years before deciding whether to progress to full membership and become a Freeman/woman.
The Associate programme is run through our section for younger members – iENGAGE – which runs informal network events and offers career development support.