Opinion
Miller’s Craven on unconscious nature of excluding behaviour
As Dive In draws to a close, Natacha Craven, chief human resources officer at Miller, considers unconscious bias plus how we are all culture carriers – and responsible for making a difference to the inclusive culture of the insurance industry.
Davies’s Blunt argues if you can see it, you can be it
Carolyn Blunt, vice president of the Academy at Davies, says school outreach programmes are attracting diverse talent into the sector but, to create an inclusive culture, the make-up of the highest levels within all insurance organisations needs to…
AmTrust’s Challis on embedding inclusion in the HR life cycle
Helen Challis, group head of HR at AmTrust International, reflects on diversity efforts in the past decade and why inclusion initiatives must be meaningful and results oriented.
BMS Group’s Erwin champions employee networks
Louisa Erwin, group head of diversity, equity and inclusion at BMS Group, argues it is essential for the insurance industry to continue to amplify the voices of employee resource groups and networks.
Sedgwick’s Cowell on inclusivity lessons learned from Covid
Vicki Cowell, head of colleague resources at Sedgwick, considers the lessons learned from Covid-19 about flexible working and how the insurance industry must move away from linear progression paths to become more inclusive.
Markel’s Humphreys on ensuring everyone can thrive
Dr Julie Humphreys, head of diversity and inclusion at Markel International, outlines the importance of a people-powered approach to achieving inclusivity in the insurance industry, with a focus on creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
CFC’s Hadebe urges others to embrace commonalities
Sukoluhle Hadebe, assistant underwriter at CFC, says creating an inclusive insurance industry culture requires intentional mentoring and active allyship.
Raise your hand to smash through glass ceiling
Aishling Meyler, assistant vice-president for technology at LexisNexis Risk Solutions in UK and Ireland, says to smash through the insurance industry's glass ceiling you need to raise your hand and get involved.
Markerstudy’s Smith-Foreman on creating a sense of belonging
Lizzie Smith-Foreman, chief marketing, communications and sustainability officer at Markerstudy, on why insurers can’t rest on their laurels and must regularly assess and evolve initiatives to ensure they reflect the needs and wants of colleagues.
First Central’s McGowan on ensuring challenges don’t limit careers
Jo McGowan, chief people officer at First Central, shares how her fertility challenges made her an even bigger advocate of ensuring colleagues receive the necessary support during difficult times in their lives.
SSP Broker’s Majeed on raising diverse talent through the ranks
Nazia Majeed, head of project and service delivery at SSP Broker, observes she remains the minority in a leadership role in insurance and outlines action needed to get more diverse talent to the top of the sector.
Instanda’s Shipley on why meritocracy should replace metrics
Sara Shipley, chief human resources officer at Instanda, on the power of no longer chasing metrics but instead genuinely seeking talent in all its forms.
ISC Group’s Powell on the next steps towards inclusion in insurance
Carmen Powell, managing director of ISC Group, reflects on how her organisation has created safe spaces, fostered leadership, and promoted cross-organisational collaboration plus shares plans to create a a more equitable future in insurance.
Lessons insurers should learn from Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes questions whether the fallout from Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing approach to selling Oasis tickets could have an impact on insurance premiums.
CFC’s Beattie on the pitfalls of following tech buzz
View from the Top: George Beattie, head of innovation at CFC, warns the industry is in danger of focusing too strongly on headline grabbing technology rather than the business and customer outcomes it can deliver.
Leveraging specialist talent to support specialty insurers
Shaun Geils, global head of insurance at IQ-EQ, examines how traditional insurers can capitalise on lay-offs in the technology sector.
Look to the skies to manage climate change risk
By leveraging advanced technologies like satellite data, Forbes McKenzie, founder and CEO of McKenzie Intelligence Services, argues insurers can better predict, manage and mitigate the impact of increasingly common frequency and severe natural disasters.
Is the ombudsman right to target loss adjusters?
Content Director’s View: With property claims on the increase and loss adjusters in the Financial Ombudsman Service’s firing line, Jonathan Swift asks the sector what it is doing to address the flack.
RSA’s Jackson on supporting staff facing domestic abuse
View from the Top: Gemma Jackson, head of diversity, equity and inclusion at RSA, says the time for quiet empathy has passed and urges the industry to take more visible and vocal action.
TRIA stabilised the insurance industry after 9/11
Greg Podleśny, co-founder of insurtech Acini, reflects on how the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act addressed the spike in insurance costs due to terrorism after the events of 9/11.
Biba’s Chapman on the enduring power of events
Trade Voice: Emma Chapman, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s conference director, considers the persistent importance of face-to-face events to the industry in the Zoom age.
Sorry saga signals signposting shortcomings
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues the regulator needs to check how and when travel insurers are directing people with pre-existing medical conditions towards alternative products and services.
Allianz’s Côté on the insurer of the future
View from the Top: Nadia Côté, UK managing director of Allianz Commercial, outlines how changing customer needs, new technology and emerging risks will shape insurers over the next decade.
Lessons for insurers to learn from social media use of AI
Going head-to-head with artificial intelligence is pointless, according to Sarah Bateman, head of data and AI for Altus Consulting, who argues we need a blend of AI efficiency with human re-assurance to be successful.