The new signatories take the number of those signed up to 300
Four more insurers have signed up to the Women in Finance Charter as it hits 300 signatures.
Insurers NFU Mutual, CNA Hardy, LV= , Hastings Direct all signed up to the Charter on 20 November.
It joins the likes of 33 new charter signatories which also joined on the same day which include Target Group, which provides software-driven servicing for insurance.
The ABI is a signatory itself, alongside 44 of its member firms which previously signed up earlier this year.
These include Ageas UK, Allianz, Aviva, AXA, Covea Insurance, Direct Line Group, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Esure, QBE, XL Catlin and Zurich Insurance.
The initiative
The charter was originally introduced by HM Treasury in 2016 to improve the representation of women in senior managerial roles in finance and see gender balance across all financial services.
It sets the following principles to achieve this which include:
- Committing firms to support the progress of women into senior roles, recognise each firm should set its own targets
- Implement the right strategy for the organisation
- Publicly report on progress to support the transparency and accountability needed to drive change.
Inclusive culture
Trisha Jones, HR director at NFU Mutual explained that signing up to the Charter is a public commitment.
She said: “Creating an environment that rewards success, supports personal development, and recognises the fact that diversity can increase the breadth and quality of debate.
“We have an inclusive culture that acknowledges and supports individual differences, and the company strives to enable all employees to develop to their full potential through equal access to a range of career development initiatives.”
Dave Brosnan, chief executive at CNA Hardy said the firm is “proud to be signatories to the charter.”
He said: “We are proud to be signatories to the Charter. As an industry we face many complex problems associated with more global and interconnected risk patterns – problems that often require the kind of multi-faceted solutions that diverse teams excel at. In my view, diversity is not just a gender or ethnicity issue. It’s a business issue and one which we are determined to get right.”
Bridget Kearm talent director at Hastings Direct, added: ”We’re proud to be part of the Women in Finance Charter. Our membership further highlights our dedication and commitment to a greater representation of females in leadership positions at Hastings and to achieving a balanced workforce.”
Mike Crane, managing director broker and D&I executive sponsor for LV= GI, said: “We’re very pleased to have become one of the latest signatories to the Women in Finance Charter. Diversity is vital to a thriving organisation and it’s something we take extremely seriously.
”We need the thoughts, ideas and challenges from different backgrounds and experiences to not only make sure we’re equipped for the future but to mirror the customer base that we serve, and ensure we’re providing them with products and services that meet their needs. The Women in Finance Charter is just one part of our D&I strategy and we’re excited about making a difference to our working environment.”
Flood Re signed up in September this year and Biba signed up in March.
Earlier this week it was announced that Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief operating officer and member of the executive comimittee at Lloyd’s is leaving, she will exit her role during the first half of 2019.
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