Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award
This category recognises and celebrates any business operating in the UK general insurance market that is committed to putting diversity and inclusion at the very heart of what they do.
Judges were looking at how entrants seek to change both attitudes and behaviours to deliver improved commercial outcomes, and how they are continuing to grow sustainable businesses and promote innovation, both internally and externally.
All the finalists are listed below. Use the links to find out more from the entrants who have answered our series of Q&As.
GOLD: Crawford & Company
Aviva
Claims Consortium Group, Valentis and MGAA
Lockyers
PremFina
Sponsored by
Claims Consortium Group
What key achievement did your entry highlight?
The need to do more in the general insurance sector to raise awareness about mental health in the workplace and, prepare businesses in our sector to support their staff and, future workforces who talk about mental health issues regularly. The need for more people to talk about mental health issues and for organisations to put support plans in place for their employees has never been greater. As just three individuals, we have worked hard to raise this awareness for no commercial benefit.
Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?
Mental Health issues costs our sector around £1bn per annum and yet in a recent webinar we conducted with brokers, 75% of delegates said their organisation didn't have a wellbeing strategy, 83% said there was no mental health training in place and 95% said they would like to learn more.
What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?
What sets us apart from other shortlisted contenders is that we are just three independent insurance professionals working hard together to raise awareness about the need for our sector to implement strategies within their organisations to support their own people who may be struggling with mental health issues. We are not looking to use this award for commercial gain, and we will use this success to continue to promote the need for our sector to do more to ensure they have positive strategies in place to support employees across the sector.
How will you celebrate if you are the victor?
We will use this award as a platform to continue our work in raising awareness about the need for organisations in our sector to have robust mental health awareness programmes and robust support strategies in place to help any of their employees struggling with mental ill-health. Only four weeks ago, one of our colleagues from the loss adjusting sector took his own life and we want the general insurance sector to be able to say that we have done everything possible to support our people and avoid needless tragedies like this again.
Lockyers
What key achievement did your entry highlight?
The Lockyers entry highlights our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion both in our business and local community. Our team is equally divided between males and females of different ages, including female managers. Flexible working arrangements for members of the team (male and female) allow people to balance work and family commitments. Members of the team are supported in their professional development with personal training plans through the Broker Network resource. Among other charities, we support "Friends of Dorothy" to help combat isolation and loneliness among older gay people, promoting inter-generational communication within the community.
Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?
"People make the difference... and everyone is different. I love the team I have round me at Lockyers. If everyone was the same then life would be boring. We value the diversity of our people, our clients and understand that every business is different. The diverse group of individuals at Lockyers work together as a great team to keep driving growth and delivering first rate, personal customer service. Everyone's contribution to the team is appreciated by both the company and our clients who know we will always go the extra mile for them." Martin Weaver-Parker, MD, Lockyers.
What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?
Diversity and Inclusion are part of our everyday way of working for the team at Lockyers – not just another section in the company handbook. The flexible approach to working arrangements and support in professional development are appreciated by the team. Treating colleagues with respect and dignity, allowing individuals to "be themselves" leads to a greater engagement in the business. The size of our company means that everyone can be involved with projects promoting diversity & inclusion in our local community, such as sponsoring and attending the Ruby Slipper Ball.
How will you celebrate if you are the victor?
Winning this Insurance Times Award would give Lockyers a great opportunity to continue to spread the word about the importance of diversity and inclusion both in our business and in our wider community. The team is the heart of the business and a win is a win for everyone – not just another trophy on display in our office reception. The diversity and inclusion excellence award would be a great end to another successful year for Lockyers – making our Christmas party a time for a real celebration for the whole team.