The Income Protection Task Force (IPTF) has welcomed seven new members to the organisation as it announced plans for the year ahead.
The new members are Shepherds Friendly, HSBC Life (UK), RedArc, Best Insurance, Realm, MMS and CIExpert.
IPTF executive director Vicky Churcher said: “We have received widespread support for our ambitious plans for 2025 and as we rely on member funding as a not-for-profit organisation, we are extremely grateful to all of our members, including those joining this year, for the support they have shown the IPTF in helping us to achieve our plans this year.
“Our expanded membership reflects our desire to broaden the conversation around protecting income this year and also our commitment to consider income protection as a holistic proposition. Additionally, some of our work this year will go beyond income protection and make a contribution to the wider industry.”
Commenting on their membership, Phil Nash, chief sales officer from Shepherds Friendly said: “Shepherds Friendly is delighted to join the IPTF for 2025 and contribute toward the goal of creating a greater awareness around all things Income Protection. Our own recent study highlighted that only 14% of Brits have IP, so there’s a real need to continue to educate the public on the financial safety net it can provide.
“We’re also looking forward to further helping advisers understand the importance of friendly societies and mutuals, and the benefits that they provide to their members.”
Richard Waters, head of protection distribution, HSBC Life (UK) Ltd, added: “We are proud to be members of the Income Protection Task Force, raising awareness and fostering an environment where income protection can be better understood. HSBC Life (UK) is curious about innovation in the income-protection market to deliver positive outcomes for customers.”
On its ambitious plans for the year, the IPTF announced that it will be working with members on a range of projects including IPAW2025, a new cohort of 7Advisers, further episodes of the #LetsTalkIP podcast launched last year and several new initiatives raising awareness on accident, sickness and unemployment (ASU) cover as part of a protection offering for customers.
Vicky Churcher said: “We have an ambitious agenda for 2025 that looks to continue much of the good work started in 2024 while introducing some new initiatives all aimed at starting important and interesting conversations around income protection and driving growth in the market.”
IPTF, established in 2005, has worked to raise awareness of income protection among advisers and consumers in the UK by working collaboratively, providing educational resources and insights, and ultimately helping to boost sales of income protection.
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