The specialist Lloyd’s of London insurance and reinsurance marketplace recently launched new campaign designed to encourage people to speak out against unacceptable behaviour captures a recent Nigerian market discuss at ‘Dive In the Festival for Diversity and Inclusion in Insurance’ forum held in Lagos.
The program drove conversations around women inclusiveness and increased presence in leadership positions pointing at the need for legislation as well as mentorship.
The forum also emphasized pushing legislation like what is obtainable in the banking industry that will make it mandatory to have a certain number of women in the board of insurance companies. All of these it said will give women a voice and opportunity to speak out when they are that there women in leadership position that can stand in for them.
Dominic Christian, chairman of Inclusion Lloyd’s, and also global chair of Aon Benfield who was the guest speaker at the forum said that Dive In festival was launched five years ago in London with the message that diversity and inclusion are good for business.
He said that the event has continued to offer opportunity to open conversations around topics such as gender equality, social mobility and cultural differences, physical and mental health and well-being.
The Lloyd’s campaign, #SpeakUp, has been launched by Lloyd’s in order to underline the importance of speaking up and to provide clear guidance on how people can take action if they either see or experience unacceptable behaviour in the market.
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It forms part of a programme of measures recently introduced by Lloyd’s to address the findings of its Annual Cultural Survey and accelerate progress towards a culture of integrity, respect, and inclusion across Lloyd’s.
The Lloyd’s Annual Cultural Survey found that 38 percent of respondents did not know who to alert when they had a concern, while less than half (45 percent) of respondents said that they felt comfortable enough to raise a concern.
John Neal, chief executive officer (CEO) of Lloyd’s said: “At Lloyd’s, we expect all market participants to act with integrity, be respectful and always speak up. I hope this campaign encourages more people to do so. You will be heard, you will be supported, and we will act, because no matter what form it takes, harassment is never acceptable.
“The ambition here is to make a positive difference in many people’s lives, by empowering individuals to act and intervene when they witness unacceptable behaviour. I think everyone has a role to play. Lloyd’s leadership is fully committed to transforming the culture at Lloyd’s with shared values that will shape the behaviors, choices and actions of everyone in the marketplace.”
The survey followed reports of sexual harassment in the Lloyd’s market, and forms part of a plan to create a more inclusive and innovative culture, and to ensure the market can attract and retain more talent.
