The Australian insurance industry has welcomed the first ever female CEO of Lloyds of London, Inga Beale, to her new role.
Although Lloyd’s of London was formed in 1688, Beale will be the carrier’s first female CEO, succeeding Richard Ward, who is leaving Lloyd’s to work as chairman of the Amsterdam-based Brit Insurance Holdings B.V.
Beale has more than 30 years of experience in insurance and reinsurance, and was previously group chief executive of Lloyd’s managing agency Canopius Group. She also held several roles with
Zurich and Converium.
Female insurance bosses have praised the move.
“It’s pleasing to see the chairman of Lloyd's being quoted as saying Inga was the most ideal candidate for the role, and not focusing on the fact she’s female,” Ansvar Insurance’s acting CEO Deirdre Blythe told
Insurance Business. “It is a great step forward, not just for our industry, but all sectors.”
“We operate in an exciting and fast-moving environment and leading an organisation such as Lloyd's, or Ansvar for that matter, requires strong leadership qualities and skills which can be found in both male and female candidates,” she continued.
“The opportunities now available to women in the insurance industry are considerable, but we must continue striving to offer these opportunities to women as the industry can still be seen as male dominated.
“I wish Inga every success in her exciting new role.”
