‘Innovative’ UL programmes nurturing the next generation of insurance and risk management professionals

‘Innovative’ UL programmes nurturing the next generation of insurance and risk management professionals

Insurance and risk management programmes at UL have been hailed as ‘innovative’ for ‘nurturing the next generation of industry professionals’

During a visit to University of Limerick (UL), Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Robert Troy TD commented on how the university’s insurance and risk management programmes are “nurturing the next generation of industry professionals”.

Visiting UL’s Kemmy Business School, the Minister of State engaged with students, faculty, and industry members involved in the university’s programmes as part of the ongoing engagement supporting the implementation of the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform.

Published in July 2025, the plan commits to working with key stakeholders to examine skills requirements in Ireland’s insurance sector and strengthen educational pathways to attract and retain talent.

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Minister Troy said he was happy to “see first-hand” how the university’s “innovative insurance and risk management programmes are nurturing the next generation of industry professionals,” said Minister Troy”.

The Minister also welcomed the continued support provided by The Brindle Foundation and The Fidelis Partnership, aimed at supporting students from the HEAR Access Scheme or SUSI Grant Scheme enrolled in UL’s risk and insurance programmes. Both organisations are to offer four scholarships each to students enrolled in the applicable courses. Recipients of the Brindle and Fidelis Scholarships will be eligible to undertake a summer internship and complete their co-op placement with the Fidelis Partnership, while also receiving ongoing mentorship and support from industry experts and UL alumni.

“The partnership between UL, The Brindle Foundation, and The Fidelis Partnership is a perfect example of how academia and industry can collaborate to support talent development, promote inclusion, and future-proof Ireland’s financial services sector,” Minister Troy added.

“This level of engagement is important work as we continue to implement the Action Plan on Insurance Reform, as well as the drafting of the next Ireland for Finance strategy. This strategy, to be delivered in the first half of 2026, will set the direction of the Irish financial services sector out to the end of the decade and beyond.”

Professor Finbarr Murphy, Interim Executive Dean of UL’s Kemmy Business School, welcomed the Minister’s visit and the new scholarships, noting UL is committed to providing students with “the skills and opportunities they need to lead in the insurance and financial services sectors”.

He said, “Initiatives like these scholarships make a real difference, ensuring that talented students, regardless of background, can access and succeed in higher education. We are also proud of our growing partnerships with organisations that share our vision for an inclusive and resilient insurance industry.”

Robert Kelly, representative of The Fidelis Partnership, added, “We’re proud to work with the Brindle Foundation and University of Limerick to support these scholarships. Our aim is to help foster new talent and strengthen the skills base of the insurance profession in Ireland. By investing in education, we’re investing in the industry’s future.”

In addition to the scholarship initiative, the Minister was briefed on NATCAT2.0, a collaborative research project between UL’s Centre for Emerging Risk Studies and Intact Insurance, co-funded by the Climate+ Co-Centre. The project focuses on the insurance sector’s role in addressing climate-related natural disasters and promoting societal resilience through innovative risk solutions.