How to Join Us
New members to The Worshipful Company of Insurers are very welcome. Why not consider joining us?
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 step in joining the Company is to apply to become a Freeman or Freewoman.
We aim to make this process both welcoming and straightforward, providing prospective members with the opportunity to learn more about the Company, meet existing members and understand the role they can play within it.
Applicants will usually be supported by a Proposer and Seconder, who will help introduce them to the Company. However, we recognise that not all prospective members will have an existing connection, and we warmly welcome applications through an alternative route, with additional support provided throughout the process.
All applications are carefully considered by the Membership Committee and include an opportunity to meet with the Chair of the Membership Committee, or a delegated member, as part of getting to know the applicant and their interest in the Company.
Once admitted as a Freeman or Freewoman, members may attend most Company events, bring guests, and begin to engage actively in the life of the Company.
As part of our approach to welcoming new members, each Freeman or Freewoman is supported through a structured Buddy System during their first year. A dedicated Buddy—typically their Proposer or another member—acts as a point of contact, helping them build connections, navigate the Company and become involved in its activities.
Freemen and Freewomen will also usually wish to apply for the Freedom of the City of London, a significant milestone marked by a ceremony at Guildhall to which family and friends may be invited. This is a necessary step for those who wish to progress to become a Liveryman or Liverywoman.
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.