Insurance Industry Must Embrace Diversity: Willis GB CEO
September 29 2015 - 4:00AM
In a presentation today to mark the beginning of the
Inclusion@Lloyd's Dive In festival, Nicolas Aubert, CEO of Willis
GB, part of Willis Group Holdings (NYSE:WSH), the global risk
advisory, re/insurance broking, and human capital and benefits
firm, called on the insurance industry to embrace diversity.
In a challenge to the status-quo, Aubert said the industry needs
to employ a truly meritocratic approach. “Willis is a very proud
sponsor of Dive In. We are committed to playing our part in
improving the talent pipeline in our industry so that the best
individuals get to the top, regardless of gender, race, sexuality
or nationality. Only by employing a true meritocracy can firms in
our sector ensure they give themselves the best chance to succeed
over the long term.”
He said that embracing diversity is the key to long term
business success. “People with different experiences and
backgrounds can enrich our business with diversity of thought,
skills and creative ideas. They can help us provide valuable
insight from different perspectives to help us better serve global
clients, respond to new challenges and reach out to new
markets.”
“Diverse teams get better results,” he continued. “They can
challenge ideas, make us more innovative, more competitive and
ultimately more successful. Having a diverse workforce makes good
business sense. Strength lies in differences, not in
similarities.”
Yet that sentiment has still not fed into workforces, noted
Aubert. As an example more than 96% of Fortune 500 CEOs are still
male, he said. Several other minority groups, such as disabled
employees, are also underrepresented in many markets.
“Despite the obvious benefits, progress has been slow and many
people still face limitations or discrimination at work,” added
Aubert. “That's why this festival is so important. This is where we
start to shift the conversation. Our goal is to affect real change
in the industry, both in terms of enabling people to unlock their
potential, achieve their aspirations and attract new talent to the
insurance industry.”
Dive In events will be hosted at venues across EC3 from 29
September – 2 October 2015, to raise awareness about the benefits
of a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Speakers at these
events include; Karren Brady, John Barnes, Lord John Browne, Jane
Hill, Marcus Trescothick, Angie Peacock and Gok Wan.
For further information on the Dive In Festival, please visit
www.diveinfestival.com.
About Willis
Willis Group Holdings the global risk advisory, re/insurance
broking and human capital and benefits firm. With roots dating to
1828, Willis operates today on every continent with more than
18,000 employees in over 400 offices. Willis offers its clients
superior expertise, teamwork, innovation and market-leading
products and professional services in risk management and transfer.
Our experts rank among the world’s leading authorities on
analytics, modelling and mitigation strategies at the intersection
of global commerce and extreme events. Find more information at our
website, www.willis.com, our leadership journal, Resilience, or our
up-to-the-minute blog on breaking news, WillisWire. Across
geographies, industries and specialisms, Willis provides its local
and multinational clients with resilience for a risky world.
Media: Nathan Hambrook-Skinner
+ 44 2031 248 716
Email: nathan.hambrook-skinner@willis.com
Investors: Matt Rohrmann
+1 212 915 8180
Email: matt.rohrmann@willis.com