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 Shepherds Friendly as the sponsor of Round 4: Insurance History. I spoke with head of sales, Caroline Payne, about why Shepherds Friendly chose to get involved.
"I attended the inaugural event last year and loved its engaging style," Caroline says.
"Inside Track was able to combine networking, collaboration, education and fun - all into a protection-focused quiz."
She adds that "it felt apt to sponsor the Insurance History round" this year, because 2026 marks Shepherds Friendly’s 200th birthday, making it "one of the oldest mutual societies still operating in the UK."
Caroline notes that advisers can learn a lot from the evolution of insurance: "Protection insurance has shifted from being a simple safety net to a dynamic, client-focused solution.
"With updates to products and features, regulatory changes, shifting customer needs and technological advancements, advisers must recognise that it’s not just about selling policies; it’s about understanding individual circumstances and tailoring solutions to meet each client’s needs," she explains.
Looking back at points in history that have had the most impact on today’s products, Caroline believes that one of the most significant milestones was the Industrial Revolution.
"It introduced new risks for workers, leading to the creation of mutual and friendly societies that allowed members to pool their resources to support one another during times of illness, injury and death," she says, "this principle of shared risk and collective support is still the primary focus for modern mutual societies today.
"It was also the foundation for modern insurance products, such as income protection, life cover and critical illness. These early mutual aid groups were the first forms of these essential financial safety nets."
But why is it so crucial for advisers to understand the industry’s past when working with today’s clients? Caroline highlights the importance of "understanding the history of the UK protection landscape," which "provides context to advisers."
"By understanding where the industry has come from and how it has evolved, there is greater risk awareness and a stronger focus on providing a compliant, tailored solution to meet each client’s needs," she says.
"It helps with adviser confidence when explaining products, which in turn builds consumer trust."
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."
"Charities and campaigns like Money Ready play a vital role in supporting the protection space because they tackle one of the biggest barriers to financial resilience: a lack of understanding," Caroline says.
"By educating young people about budgeting, saving and the importance of planning for the unexpected, these initiatives create a foundation for informed financial decisions later in life. When consumers understand concepts like income protection, life cover and the value of safeguarding their future, they’re more likely to see protection as essential rather than optional.
"When young adults lack confidence and understanding about money, they’re less likely to engage with protection products such as life cover, income protection or critical illness insurance.
"To change this, the industry needs a proactive and collaborative approach that makes financial security feel relevant and accessible. This can include partnering with education initiatives like Money Ready to build financial literacy, simplifying the language used in marketing and product documents, leveraging social media and interactive tools to connect with younger audiences, and working together on industry-wide campaigns that highlight the importance of planning for the future," she continues.
Caroline describes financial education as "so important," and adds that it should be considered on the same level as physical and mental health.
"We spend a fair amount of time focusing on physical and mental well-being, but the missing link is financial well-being."
"Increasing education and awareness of financial literacy will help to reduce vulnerability, build trust in the industry and encourage younger generations to be proactive in managing risk," she says.
To find out more about Inside Track 2026 and how you can get involved, visit the website here.
