Lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender insurance network launched

Representatives from more than 100 organisations gathered at the Chartered Insurance Institute in London to listen to a panel discuss current diversity and inclusion issues within the industry. The panel were:

• Jan Gooding - group brand director, Aviva
• Liz Bingham, managing partner, people, Ernst & Young
• Paul Jardine, chief operating officer at Catlin Group and deputy chairman of Lloyd's of London
• Nicolas Aubert - managing director, AIG UK, and diversity & inclusion lead for AIG EMEA
• Nick Major, chief underwriting officer, Zurich Global Corporate, UK
• Ben Summerskill, CEO of Stonewall (moderator)

The panel discussed pertinent issues relating to diversity in the wider insurance market and spoke candidly around its significance in their own organisations:

Introducing the session, Erik Johnson, co-chair of Link, said: "It could be assumed that success is easily had in our industry with the right skills and hard work, so what is the issue with LGBT talent? But many LGBT people in insurance have found their way to success on their own, without the help of inclusive social networks, supportive families, mentoring relationships and senior level sponsors that some of our colleagues may take for granted. Link's goal is to bring people together to tackle these issues and increase the opportunities for success in our community, bringing top LGBT talent to the insurance industry."

Major said: "I came out 15 years ago. It was a traumatic experience personally, but the industry has moved on. Then, there were no networks or role models. I was advised not to come out, and that it would destroy my career. It didn't, but as an industry we still have far too many staff scared or reluctant to identify as LGBT at work. I want Link to drive an agenda in our industry that supports a desire for all staff to bring their whole selves to work"

Jardine said: "The London insurance market has been slow in selling itself, in the sense that we do not reflect the diversity of our clients or our markets."

Aubert, pictured, added: "Link's launch should just be the beginning of the story. The more you open doors to some diversity, the more you give strength to others to be themselves. Even if there were not a good business case, it is the right thing to do."

Greg Case, global CEO of Aon, said via video message: "Having an unmatched talent agenda is important for the future of our industry. All of us have a privilege and a responsibility to create an inclusive and supportive workplace for our employees."

Liz Bingham, Managing Partner, People, Ernst & Young, said:

"If we fail to recognise that the diversity of our clients is changing, we fail to grow as a business. I think we should actually be saying 'workplace equality' - who would not want that, it is a relevant aspiration for everybody. I also believe that Link needs to think both UK-wide and beyond the UK".

Ben Summerskill, CEO of Stonewall, said his father had worked in insurance and that the event was an "historic occasion".