About LinkMembership – Our membership continues to grow at a rapid pace. We have over 450 members from more than 165 firms (in 2014 we had 380 members from 150 firms).

Engagement and leadership – We look to harness the energy of our varied membership:

• Our steering committee has 12 reps from AIG, Allied World, Aon, Argo, Aviva, Axa, EY, Norton Rose Fulbright, RPC, StarStone, Stonewall, Willis and XL Catlin

• Steering committee and other members have played a leading role in creating “Out in the Market”, the LGBT day at DiveIn, Lloyd’s of London’s first ever Diversity Festival

• Many firms are now supporting our monthly events – in Leeds, Manchester and London.

Recognition – Link was recognised in 2015 by Inclusive Networks as a leading Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) network.

Visibility – Link participates in the Stonewall dinner, the Pride in London Dinner and various Pride events, as well as, events hosted by supporting firms.

Reach – From an initial London base, Link now has an active chapter in Leeds and Manchester, and is in discussion with supporters in other regions about further launches.

Helping firms attract the best talent – Link works to create and maintain a workplace that attracts the best LGBT talent to the insurance industry.

An inclusive vision – Whilst maintaining a focus on issues pertinent to the LGBT community, we play a role in joining up the many strands of D&I.

Communicating the economic case – We work to ensure that the economic case for cultivating an inclusive workplace and LGBT issues are on the agendas of all executive committees within the insurance sector.

Access point for resources – In furthering our inclusive vision, we work closely with Stonewall and other experts to encourage firms to become Diversity Champions, to participate in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, and to embrace best practice.

Networking opportunities – Both formal and informal, Link provides welcoming and inclusive opportunities for members to build their personal networks and to share best practice.

Experts – In furthering our inclusive vision, we work closely with Stonewall and other experts to encourage firms to become Diversity Champions, to participate in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, and to embrace best practice.

Charity – Link has supported the charity Switchboard at two recent events, raising money for its important work.

the make-up of the workplace by demographics

and other determining factors, such as age, ethnicity/race,

gender, sexual orientation, faith, socio-economic status, family

circumstances and physical ability

the extent to which employees feel

valued and included by an organisation

Diversity

Inclusion

Why is Diversity &

Inclusion important?

TEXT HERE

TEXT HERE

TEXT

Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is not the latest fad or fashion; it’s not the latest business language or HR speak. It’s an ongoing endeavour of collaboration which strives to make the Insurance market the best place to work

D&I matters to the top and bottom lines

Attracting, motivating and retaining the best talent achieves better results There is a

clear correlation

between enhanced

business performance and broader

team diversity

Prospective employees want to know that they will feel valued and included

Evidence suggests that employees who feel included perform better

“Concealing sexualorientation at work reducesproductivity by up to 30%.People who have ‘come out’in supportive workplaces aremore creative, loyal andproductive.”

Stonewall

FINANCIALSERVICES

PROFESSIONALSERVICES

INSURANCE

18

Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2014: Top 100 companies

Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2014: Number ofdiversity champions in each sector

Numbers are out of 100

Diversity has many strands. Link focuses on Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues, but puts these at the heart of the wider talent agenda, encompassing all diversity strands.

The insurance industry would like to pride itself on attracting the best talent from across the UK. According to a recent report by PwC, entitled “Dealing with disputes” only 1% of students surveyed were interested in working in insurance when they leave school, while 64% of insurance CEOs worried about a gap in key skills.

One part of the problem is a perceived lack of diversity.

D&I is increasingly becoming a topic at board level, with several large brokers and insurers having already launched employee resource groups to engage staff, customers and suppliers on the issue.

Boxout boxout boxout Os sime officie ntiumqui

doluptur, omni optae perchil ictur, occusae eseruptam

ipsus autem aut lacepratur? Qui ute enest ut harum utem

libusam ullore volor sum et quo vero te cus apiducid

molorum eum facculparum

61% 85%more diverse*

inclusive leadership*said their teams have become

in composition

Out of a survey of 821 global executives:

A diverse company is more likely to see:

A diverse workforce will see:

agreed that

is an effective means of improving team performance

45%Improvedmarket share‡

more likely

70%more likely

Success innewmarkets‡

Teamcollaboration†

Retention rate†

57%better

higher19%Teamcommitment†

42%stronger

Sources: * EY † The Centre for Talent Innovation ‡ The Corporate Leadership Council

How we can helpKnowing where to begin when building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive staff base can be difficult. This is where Link can help.

Ready-made LGBT Network – Knowing where to begin, and beginning, can be difficult. Link can help. Link provides a ready-made LGBT network for insurance professionals and employees. Link is an access point for policy and best practice in relation to LGBT issues and D&I generally.

Start Diversity Conversations – Link can help with starting the internal conversation around LGBT inclusion in the workplace (many of our members have been through the process themselves in their own workplace). Link also provides a forum for our corporate partners to work together to collaborate and share ideas on delivering positive change.

Develop your People – Our network of professionals provides a welcoming and inclusive environment at events. We believe that Link membership can assist with an individual’s development, and ultimately help to boost a company’s performance.

“Getting involved with Link helped me develop my network, ultimately helping me to move into

my current role.”Erik Johnson, Assistant Vice President Business

Development, Allied World Assurance

“Networking with other insurance professionals through Link provides the opportunities and

knowledge that enable me to steer my career in the right direction.”

Jack Brown, Assistant Underwriter, Argo Global

“Link has provided a great opportunity for networking, helping others with career

mentoring and getting to know other parts of our huge and important industry. There is always an opportunity to learn and I value that hugely.”

Richard Beaven, Distribution Director, Swinton

What Link members say ...

Heading 1Body text Os sime officie ntiumqui doluptur, omni optae perchil ictur, occusae eseruptam ipsus autem aut lacepratur? Qui ute enest ut harum utem libusam ullore volor sum et quo vero te cus apid

Os sime officie ntiumqui doluptur, omni optae perchil ictur, occusae eseruptam ipsus autem aut lacepratur? Qui ute enest ut harum utem libusam ullore volor sum et quo vero te cus apid Os sime officie ntiumqui doluptur, omni optae perchil ictur, occusae eseruptam ipsus autem aut lacepratur? Qui ute enest ut harum utem libusam ullore volor sum et quo vero te cus apid

“There are now 10 member (Stonewall Diversity Champion) insurance firms: AIG, Aon Limited, Aviva, AXA Insurance, Legal & General Group, Lloyd’s of London, LV=, Swiss Re, XL Catlin and Zurich. This is progress. But consider this out of a total of over 1,000 insurance firms with offices in London.”

Greg Case, Chief Executive, Aon

“I think it is important for the insurance industry to engage with LGBT talent issues, and attending Link’s launch event is a great opportunity for the industry to show support and get involved.”

Paul Jardine, Chief Experience Officer, XL Catlin, Deputy Chairman of Lloyd’s

“Lloyd’s is at the forefront of the specialist insurance and reinsurance market globally. Inclusion@Lloyd’s shows the market’s increasing focus on talent; and on building and maintaining businesses that are open to everyone. Link plays an important role in breaking down barriers and demonstrating the power of networks and best practice.”

Inga Beale, CEO, Lloyd’s of London

What Link supporters say ...

Link successes

A thriving and engaged membership

• Over 450 members from over 165 firms.

• Monthly networking events.

• Summer and Christmas events attracting the highest level CXO speakers and attendees.

Partnering

• Successfully partnering with Stonewall around Diversity Champions and the Workplace Equality Index. Link does not seek to duplicate (or take credit for) the work of Stonewall, but Link acts as a facilitator and introducer, raising the profile of D&I within the industry.

• In 2012, 3 firms were Diversity Champions, in 2015 there are 10.

• More firms than ever participate in the Workplace Equality Index (although only one features in the top 100… work still to do!).

• There is now a dedicated insurance industry section in Stonewall’s “Starting Out Guide” that is sent to careers advisors in schools and universities across the country.

• A representative from Stonewall sits on Link’s steering committee.

• Various introductions at CXO level have been and continue to be made.

Media and social media

• Coverage in Insurance Day, Post Magazine, The IIL Journal, Insurance People, and the Insurance Insider.

• Active Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and website.

• Inclusive Networks recognised Link in its #Awesome100.

• We publish a monthly newsletter through various channels.

Industry engagement

• Link has engaged with insurers, reinsurers and brokers, hosting CXO dinners, regular meetings, and formal and informal events to help companies on their journey towards making insurance a more attractive sector for all talent, not just LGBT talent.

• We supported the establishment of several new LGBT employee resource groups.

• A large number of members participated in Pride in London, alongside supporting firms.

• We launched a presence in Northern England, Link Up North, and are in discussions about further regional launches.

Contact us

Co-chairs:

Theresa Farren E-mail: theresa.farren@aon.co.uk

James Mee E-mail: james.mee@rpc.co.uk

Secretary: Erik Johnson E-mail: erik.johnson@awac.com

Link: LGBT Insurance Network

@link_lgbt

Link: LGBT Insurance Network

www.lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk