On 26th February, teams from across the protection industry will battle it out for the ultimate title: champion of Inside Track 2026 (IT26).
This educational game show is returning for a second year, once again putting advisers’ knowledge to the test over eight rounds on everything from definitions and technology to underwriting and insurance history, all while encouraging a bit of friendly rivalry…
For 2026, Inside Track is supported by Vitality as the sponsor of Round 6: Diversity & Inclusion. I spoke with director of strategic partnerships, Andy Philo, about why Vitality chose to get involved.
"Inside Track is a unique event and a brilliant way to bring energy and collaboration into the protection space," he says, "we're passionate about making protection advice both engaging and relevant, and this event reflects that ethos."
"It's about learning, sharing ideas and showing how innovation can drive better outcomes for advisers and customers alike."
According to Andy, the decision to sponsor the Diversity & Inclusion round was motivated by the belief that "protection should be accessible and fair for everyone, regardless of background."
"Sponsoring the Diversity & Inclusion round reflects our commitment to championing that principle, and to designing products and advice that truly represent the society that we serve.
"People's lives are diverse and so are their health journeys, so if our products and our advice don’t reflect that, then we're not really meeting real needs," he says.
For Andy, inclusive advice "starts with listening and understanding," and uses "clear, jargon-free language," that "tailors examples to client circumstances."
"We encourage training in cultural awareness and unconscious bias because for us, inclusive conversations lead to stronger relationships and therefore, better outcomes," he adds.
Regarding the future of accessibility and fairness in protection, Andy notes a "really positive change."
"We're seeing simplified underwriting, better digital tools, and clearer product information," he says.
"Across the sector, there are growing commitments to transparency and inclusivity."
In 2026, Inside Track is supporting the financial education charity Money Ready with a fundraising goal of £10,000. The charity delivers programmes to people aged 4-40 across the UK to help create, in its words, "a financially fluent population."
"Financial education is crucial," Andy says, "it's fundamental. For customers, it means confidence and resilience, and for advisers, it makes conversations smoother and more productive.
"Informed clients make better decisions about their health and finances, and by improving financial literacy, organisations like Money Ready empower people to see the value of protection, helping them plan for a secure and healthy future."
To keep pushing for greater financial literacy, Andy stresses the need for "a united effort."
"Providers, advisers, charities, all working together to make financial education a part of everyday life."
"At Vitality, we support initiatives that try to demystify protection and link financial wellbeing with health - whether it be through schools, workplaces or digital tools, we will keep advocating for education that helps people make informed, positive choices.
"I think the industry is united around that common belief, but we can certainly always do more," he says.
To find out more about Inside Track 2026 and how you can get involved, visit the website here.
