As part of its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, major insurer
QBE joined corporate partners, football fans, and LGBTI community leaders as they celebrated AFL’s Pride match.
Together with leaders from partner firms including
Aon,
Marsh, and
Deloitte, QBE team members went to see the match between the Swans and St Kilda, with many donning specially-made Pride merchandise as a show of support to its cause.
The QBE celebration saw Pat Regan, QBE CEO, Australia and New Zealand, addressing guests during the event including former Olympic swimmer Daniel Kowalski, former MasterChef contestant Courtney Roulston, and Sydney Swans player Jordan Dawson.
The QBE boss said the event was an opportunity to celebrate the company’s achievements in diversity and inclusion, as well as a way to keep the issue at the top of the agenda.
“Both football clubs and the AFL should be congratulated on championing this initiative, which has already proven to help bring awareness and acceptance in the broader community,” he said.
Regan said the company recognises that maintaining a rich, diverse team, partner, and customer base is not only the right thing to do it also makes good business sense.
“We’re not just talking the talk,” he said. “We have a devoted diversity and inclusion team and passionate pride committee working hand-in-hand with our executive leadership team, people, and partners to make positive changes and help us champion supportive, open workplaces and communities.”
Regan noted that QBE had made good progress in diversity and inclusion, including its sponsorship of the Australian human rights commission research around the business case for diversity together with SBS, Westpac, Qantas, and Deloitte.
Related stories:
Digitalisation, diversity impacting insurance job market
The success of an all-women agency