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The UK insurance industry is putting in the effort to address workplace issues such as inclusion, diversity and fair pay. But women in the industry continue to face challenges.
Last month, an industry-wide inclusivity pledge was launched, spearheaded by Zurich’s UK chief executive Tulsi Naidu and Lloyd’s CEO Inga Beale, and signed by a lengthy list of the sector’s biggest companies.
Designed to stamp out unacceptable behaviour within the industry and create a more inclusive work environment across the sector, Naidu told Insurance Business as the pledge launched that a “pan-industry” effort is needed to create widespread change.
“This is about the reputation of the insurance industry as a place to work, and as a place that is truly leading in terms of the sorts of behaviours that we expect and we stand for, and the behaviours that we do not tolerate,” Naidu said.
The awareness of unwanted behaviour in the workplace, such as harassment and bullying, has seen a surge amid the global #MeToo movement. But the challenges that professional women face trickle right down to day-to-day issues, such as juggling life, family dynamics and the demands of a senior-level role.
In October, Insurance Business UK will host The Women in Insurance Summit in London, which will bring together some of the biggest names in the industry to address the key challenges faced by women in the UK insurance sector. Speakers include Naidu, UK General CEO Karen Beales, Chartered Insurance Institute CEO Sian Fisher, and many of insurance’s most senior women.
“The insurance industry plays a vital role in underpinning the economy and society and is a brilliant place to build a career. The work is varied, intellectually stimulating and full of opportunity and it is great that this event will showcase some of those opportunities as well providing key insight from some of the industry’s leading lights,” said Sophie Timms, head of UK corporate affairs at Zurich.
“Zurich is proud to support Insurance Business’s Women in Insurance event. At Zurich, we’re committed to improving diversity and inclusion across our organisation and our industry, ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. While there are a growing number of influential women occupying key positions in the industry, we know that women are still under-represented at senior levels. That is why Zurich has embarked on a programme to drive change inside our own company as well as with our peers.”
Join Insurance Business in London on October 29 for The Women in Insurance Summit, where we will advance and empower women in UK insurance through intensive speaker sessions, panel discussions, networking and personal experiences from female thought leaders within the industry.
