Q&A: Maurice Rose, manager, insurance risk and regulation, PWC and co-chair Link

What are the the main objectives of your network?  

Link was launched in the summer of 2012 and is a professional network for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender plus community and their allies who work in the insurance sector.

Link’s mission is to create and maintain workplaces that attract and retain the best LGBT+ talent to the insurance industry. Link seeks to develop inclusive workplaces that allows LGBT+ insurance professionals to further their careers in an environment where an individual’s sexuality or gender identity is not a barrier to success.

Link organises a number of events throughout the year, from its first Tuesday of the month networking drinks, to more formal events featuring keynote speakers and topical discussion.

What have the network’s biggest achievements been to date?  

Link’s biggest achievement to date is winning the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. This was to recognise the efforts of Link and the committee in making the insurance industry a more inclusive environment for LGBT people. The award is the highest form of recognition, equivalent to an MBE, for volunteer groups in the UK.

Can you outline why you personally got involved?  

I personally got involved in Link to help drive forward the diversity and inclusion agenda for LGBT people working in the industry. I have personally never experienced any discrimination, however, know a number who have and continue to do so. The work we do at Link continues to be as important today, as it was at inception. 

Another reason for getting involved with Link was to meet new people from across the industry, network and learn from others.

What has your network got coming up in the future; and how can people get involved?  

Link will always have an exciting schedule of events, from informal networking drinks, panel discussions, keynote talks, summer and Christmas parties, Pride and more.

We also look to promote other organisations LGBT events and are always on the lookout for volunteers, in either a formal or informal capacity. We have a monthly member newsletter and for those looking to get involved, the first step is to become a member.

Can you list some of the activities your network has undertaken to help increase understanding and achieve its D&I goals?  

We have various events, throughout the calendar year, to focus on different facets of the LGBT agenda. We have recently run an event with Bupa on gender dysphoria and trans-inclusive healthcare; are working with Allianz and other partner networks to run a panel event for their staff; and have helped a number of organisations successfully launch their own internal LGBT networks. 

We have also produced some fantastic online resources, such as Trans Ally Guidance: Exploring Gender Identity & Expression, role model guides and more.

As a cross industry network, we seek to connect others and join the dots between firms. We run quarterly sessions to bring the industry network leads together, to share best practice, individual initiatives and establish how as an industry we can drive change for the future.

For more information on Link 

FURTHER READING

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Q&A: Ajay Mistry, partnership director, Brokerbility and co-chair, Insurance Cultural Awareness Network

Q&A: Amanda Lucas, L&D manager, Allianz Global Corporate Solutions and co-chair Insurance Families network