2023 AGENDA

All times in GMT

• 8:15 AM

  Registration and breakfast

• 9:00 AM

  Opening remarks from chairperson

  

  Maxine Goddard

  Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
  Sompo International

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  Maxine Goddard

  Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
  Sompo International

  Maxine Goddard is SVP, Strategic Distribution and Development for Global Markets at Sompo International with over 20 years’ international experience across insurance, banking, oil and gas, and the United Nations. She is responsible for broker management and broker portfolio development as well as strategic initiatives in the distribution space.  

  Prior to her role at Sompo, Maxine was the global Head of Sales Operations & Planning at Zurich Insurance and led the delivery of various strategic initiatives before joining Sompo International in 2021. Maxine is an award-winning champion for greater inclusivity across the insurance industry. She also sits on the Advisory Board of the ISC Group as a champion for gender balance and acts as a Strategic Advisor to the industry-wide Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN). She is also the co-chair of RATL, the Race Action though Leadership group uniquely aimed at CEOs and Board Chairs.  

  Maxine is also a regular public speaker on race and ethnicity. Her work across the insurance industry involves raising awareness of the challenges faced by Persons of Colour from recruitment through to career development and senior progression; and their exit.  

  Her work involves mentoring, sponsoring, holding listening sessions, focus groups while educating middle management, hiring managers and external recruiters and broadly garnering C-Suite executive sponsorship. This enabled her to get over 50 C-Suite executives to volunteer as mentors to a range of BME professionals across the industry. She chaired the Annual Diversity Summit for the Association of British Insurers in 2021. Maxine was the first winner of the Insurance Award as the Race Champion in 2019.  

  She was recently recognised as a 2022 Business Insurance Woman to Watch and was also the winner of the Women in Insurance 2020 Role Model of the Year at the Women in Insurance Awards. She has repeatedly been named as an Elite Women by Insurance Business UK and in the annual Yahoo! Finance EMpower 100 UK national list. She was a finalist at the UK Made a Difference 33 awards (MAD33). She previously chaired the Zurich Cultural Awareness Network and had been key to leading their multicultural D&I strategy including the publication of the Zurich UK ethnicity pay gap report in 2020, the first for the insurance industry.  

  Maxine has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London and is an active Livery member with the Worshipful Company of Insurers sitting on their Membership and Education Strategy Committees.  

• 9:05 AM

  Opening Keynote: Back on track – Finding my feet through adversity to reinvention

  Elite sportswoman Claire Lomas MBE’s life changed in an instant when a horse-riding accident left her fighting to live in intensive care. Paralysed from the chest down, Claire went from being an active sportswoman to a life where she faced huge daily obstacles, with the simplest of tasks now hugely challenging. Through the tough times, Claire realised that to overcome adversity and rebuild her life, she’d need to not only deal with uncertainty but embrace it as an opportunity to reinvent herself. Claire’s achievements are incredible – known as the ‘bionic woman,’ she completed the London Marathon in a pioneering robotic suit and was awarded an MBE in 2017 for her numerous fundraising efforts. Join us as Claire shares her inspirational story of navigating change to achieve awe-inspiring goals, with practical tools for building resilience, overcoming obstacles, and reaching your full potential.

   

  Learning objectives:

  • Learn how to navigate changing environments
  • Learn practical tools for building resilience
  • Learn how to overcome challenges and obstacles to advance in your career

   

  

  Claire Lomas MBE

  The Bionic Woman
  

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  Claire Lomas MBE

  The Bionic Woman
  

  Many doors had slammed closed, and it was difficult for Claire not to dwell on all she had lost. If she was going to move forwards, she needed to dig deep to find the strength, determination, and courage to rebuild her life. She did just that – to an unforeseeable and extraordinary degree.

  Claire had a career as a chiropractor, and she had just reached the highest level in the sport of eventing when a collision with a tree in 2007 left her with catastrophic injuries. She dislocated her spine, fractured her neck and ribs, punctured a lung and was fighting for her life in intensive care. The dislocation resulted in severe spinal cord damage and Claire became paralysed from the chest down.

  Her life changed in a split second. She went from an active sportswoman whose dreams were coming true and goals were set high to a life where Claire faced huge daily obstacles which ever direction she turned. The simplest of tasks were now hugely challenging.

  As well as losing the use of two-thirds of her body, she was forced to say goodbye to her sport, her career and then her four-year relationship ended too. Claire felt at rock bottom; both her confidence and self-esteem were at an all-time low.

  Not many months after her accident, Claire started to work again, albeit very different to what she used to do, and she found enjoyment in a new sport – skiing. Gradually, bit by bit she pieced her life back together.

  In 2012, Claire made headline news all over the world as she walked the London Marathon in a pioneering robotic suit. It took a gruelling 17 days and raised a staggering £220k for charity. The following year, Claire completed a 400-mile handcycle around parts of England, visiting schools on the way to teach hundreds of pupils some valuable life lessons, raising another £85k for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation.​

  Claire became known as the ‘bionic woman’ as she completed the Great North Run whilst 16 weeks pregnant taking her 5 days, the Great South Run which she walked throughout the night and the Greater Manchester Marathon where she managed to reach the finish line in 9 days, smashing her former record by 8 days.

  She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for her numerous fundraising efforts, she is married to Dan who she met just a year after her accident, has two daughters, is the author of two books, has spoken at hundreds of events worldwide and has become a highly thought of female motivational speaker, gained her motorcycle race licence and private pilot’s licence.

  Unsurprisingly, Claire is often the only woman and only wheelchair user at the airfield or on the track but there is one thing for sure, she loves pushing the boundaries.

  There is no stopping her. Claire is constantly challenging her limits. She has not let her disability define her, but it has certainly redefined her, achieving some unimaginable feats and consequently inspiring people all over the world.

  Claire does not believe the sky is the limit!

• 9:55 AM

  Panel: Competitive intelligence – Market trends and the future of insurance

  Digital disruptions, including AI, deep learning technologies and Blockchain, post-pandemic and environmental factors, are changing the insurance market and the way products and services are delivered. As we move out of the pandemic, what are the latest market trends, opportunities, and technologies shaping insurance today? In this session, hear from key industry leaders as they dive into the current and future insurance market – and learn what you need to know to remain an informed and effective leader. Among the topics and questions to be explored:

  • What are the latest market trends and what do they reveal?
  • Discover current thinking on ESG priorities, big data, and analytics
  • Addressing emerging trends in natural disasters and climate risk
  • What’s next? Anticipating market trends and industry changes in 2024 and beyond

   

  Learning objectives:

  • Learn the latest insurance market trends and their impact on the industry
  • Learn from the latest thought leadership on ESG priorities, big data, and analytics
  • Learn how to deal with emerging trends in natural disasters and climate riskLearn what is coming next in insurance in 2024 and beyond with the latest forecast on market trends and industry changes

   

  Moderator

  

  Neta Rozy

  Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
  Parametrix Insurance

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  Neta Rozy

  Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
  Parametrix Insurance

  Panelists

  

  Peter Blanc ACII

  Head of M&A
  Howden Group Holdings 

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  Peter Blanc ACII

  Head of M&A
  Howden Group Holdings 

  Peter Blanc ACII is Head of M&A, Howden Group Holdings.  He is based at Howden’s head office at One Creechurch Place in London. 

  Heading up Howden’s mergers and acquisition strategy allows Peter to fulfil his ambition of making Howden the world’s leading independent (re)insurance broker, employee benefits advisor and MGA. 

  With over 100 acquisitions of insurance broking and MGA businesses during his career, Peter is an industry veteran with decades of experience behind him. Notably, after starting his career in motor underwriting and then building his own commercial insurance brokerage, Peter has led three successful private equity exit events, totalling over £1.5 billion.  As CEO at Oval, he led the sale for £210m to Gallagher in 2014, and as Group CEO of Aston Lark, he led a round 1 sale for £325m in 2019 to Goldman Sachs and Aston Lark’s final exit to Howden for £1.1 billion in 2021. 

  Alongside these leadership roles, Peter has served as non-executive chairman of Hastings Insurance Services Ltd, as chairman of the Large Brokers’ Advisory Board at the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) and in 2022 he served as President of the Chartered Insurance Institute. 

  Peter is a passionate advocate of expert-led insurance leadership, employee-owned businesses, and the Early Careers Programme; in short, using his own experiences and expertise to help make a difference to those around him. 

  Peter lives in Colchester, Essex, where he is a proud husband and the father of three grown-up children. He can often be found keeping fit on a bicycle, going to the gym, or mucking out his daughter’s horses! 

  

  Suzanne Scatliffe

  Global Head of Sustainability
  AXA XL

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  Suzanne Scatliffe

  Global Head of Sustainability
  AXA XL

  Suzanne Scatliffe is Global Sustainability Director at AXA XL, where she leads the global sustainability strategy and programs. Suzanne has 18 years’ experience in CSR and sustainability roles in the insurance, technology, and education sectors, and is a certified Sustainability Practitioner (IEMA) and Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS).  

  Suzanne serves on the International Board of Governors of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) and served as Chair of the Board of Directors of IICF UK from 2018-2021. She volunteers as a Heart of the City Mentor and Board Member, helping small businesses in the UK develop CSR and Sustainability initiatives. 

  

  Alex Morris-Tarry

  Chief Technology Officer, Neuron
  WTW

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  Alex Morris-Tarry

  Chief Technology Officer, Neuron
  WTW

  Alex is a leader in financial services technology with 20 years of experience working in technology consultancy, product management and technical delivery. His innovative solutions and ability to bridge the gap between technology and business needs have earned him a stellar reputation among clients and colleagues alike.  

  Beyond the boardroom, Alex finds balance through his passion for running, completing numerous marathons that showcase his determination and resilience. Additionally, his love for sci-fi fuels his imagination, enabling him to anticipate industry trends and remain at the forefront of innovation.  

  With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Alex continues to shape the future of financial services technology, leaving an indelible mark on the industry he holds dear. 

• 10:40 AM

  Networking coffee break

• 11:10 AM

  Fireside chat: Let’s talk senior leadership – So you want a seat at the table?

  A leadership role comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. To succeed in this position, women leading must possess strong capabilities, be able to manage teams effectively, and have a deep understanding of the industry’s complexities. But what does a seat at the table really mean? How do you best determine your career goals and get to where you want to be? Learn from the experiences of a successful C-suite executive in this engaging fireside chat on what it takes to add your voice to the conversation.  

  • Do titles really matter? Does leadership mean C-suite level? 
  • How to navigate the often male-dominated corporate landscape, overcoming gender biases and discrimination  
  • How do you become an influencer? 
  • Moving on up: What does it take to get there? Where do you go from here? 

   

  Learning objectives:

  • Learn from a female CEO on the challenges and opportunities of a leadership role
  • Learn how to navigate male-dominated corporate environments and how to overcome gender biases and discrimination
  • Learn how to become recognized as an influential leader
  • Learn what it takes and what you need to consider to achieve a senior leadership role

   

  

  Claire Weston

  Chief Executive Officer
  Great Lakes Insurance UK Ltd, Munich Re

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  Claire Weston

  Chief Executive Officer
  Great Lakes Insurance UK Ltd, Munich Re

  Claire Weston is the Head of Great Lakes Insurance SE in the UK. A qualified actuary with a background in Life, Pensions and Risk Management, Claire brings a varied perspective to her work.  

  Claire is a strong advocate of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and leads on the topic both in her day-job and position as a school governor in her spare time. 

  Moderator

  

  Paul Lucas

  Global Managing Editor
  Insurance Business

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  Paul Lucas

  Global Managing Editor
  Insurance Business

• 11:45 AM

  Idea generator: Breaking the taboos – Supporting women’s health at every career stage

  Women face health issues and challenges throughout their lives, and introducing a specific women’s health strategy can provide practical advice on how to enable women to thrive in the workforce. How can we create an open culture in which women feel supported, confident, and safe to talk about health issues? How can you take control of your own health in the workplace? Join this interactive session to explore how you can benefit from a culture that prioritises women’s health, and the strategies you can implement in your own organisation. Among the issues to be discussed:

  • Conversations to expand line managers’ awareness and understanding
  • Discover how small adjustments can have a significant impact
  • A breakdown of common taboos around women’s health issues for the benefit of your workplace

   

  Learning objectives:

  • Learn how women in the workplace can benefit from a culture that supports women’s unique health issues
  • Learn how to create a culture that enables women to feel supported, confident and safe to talk about health issues
  • Learn common taboos around women’s health issues and how we can overcome them
  • Learn how line managers can better support women employees, and the small adjustments that can significantly and positively impact women’s experiences of the workplace

   

  

  Eszter Dara

  Workplace Wellbeing Coach
  Inner Truth Conversations

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  Eszter Dara

  Workplace Wellbeing Coach
  Inner Truth Conversations

  As a Workplace Wellbeing Coach with 14 years of international experience in strategy, marketing, and innovation, Eszter is devoted to fostering thriving work environments and promoting employee wellbeing. Through a corporate background and an unwavering commitment to enhancing workplace wellbeing, Eszter has a deep understanding of workplace dynamics and holistic health. This fusion of expertise and passion demonstrates Eszter’s commitment to holistic growth within organizations. 

  In the role of a Health & Wellbeing Coach, Eszter empowers professionals to build resilience, optimize performance and prevent burnout. With specialized expertise in stress and anxiety management, energy optimization and lifestyle factors, Eszter creates impactful transformations through a blend of coaching, mentoring, and upskilling. 

  In addition to her degree in Economics, Marketing & Commerce from Corvinus University of Budapest, Eszter has certifications as Integrative Health Nutrition Coach, 3 Brains Coach, Ayurveda Mental Coach and Mental Health First Aider, underscoring her commitment to integrative wellbeing. She is an approved member of the UK & International Health Coaching Association, adhering to high professional standards. 

• 12:15 PM

  Networking lunch

• 1:15 PM

  Panel: Fighting fatigue – How to remain on top of your game

  With competing priorities and stressful working environments, many managers and executives are experiencing various levels of burnout. How can we prioritise well-being, and in turn create a culture of empathy and support? This session will discuss strategies to fight fatigue, boost resilience, and focus on self-care and mental well-being to lead by example. Among the topics and questions for discussion: 

  • What are the best strategies for fighting fatigue, and how can we develop them? 
  • How can managers and organisations encourage and prioritise a culture that supports well-being? 
  • Overcoming common challenges such as time management, multiple responsibilities, and burnout 

   

  Learning objectives:

  • Learn how to create a culture of empathy and support to prioritise the wellbeing of employees
  • Learn the best strategies for fighting fatigue
  • Learn how to overcome common challenges like time management and juggling multiple personal and professional responsibilities
  • Learn how to recognise and prevent burnout in ourselves and our teams

   

  Moderator

  

  Georgina Robinson

  Partner – Construction
  McGill and Partners

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  Georgina Robinson

  Partner – Construction
  McGill and Partners

  Georgina is a Partner in the Complex Property, Casualty and Construction team, specialising in Onshore Construction risk placement and client development and has been working as an insurance broker in the London market for over 15 years. 

  In addition to her main role, Georgina is a founding member of the Women and Allies in Construction Insurance network, which initially started two years ago and is going from strength to strength to connect individuals from across the insurance market through a series of differentiated events. 

  Georgina was a winner at last year’s Women in Insurance awards, winning role model of the year and highly commended in the broker of the year category. 

  Panelists

  

  Lisa Bartlett

  President, UK & Ireland
  Crawford & Company

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  Lisa Bartlett

  President, UK & Ireland
  Crawford & Company

  Lisa Bartlett joined Crawford in May 2019 as chief client officer for the UK business and in October 2019, she was promoted to president, UK & Ireland. 

  The former Aon area director and Towergate UK sales & marketing director served as regional director at AXA Insurance before joining Crawford.  

  Having worked in both the insurance and broking sectors in a variety of senior management roles, Lisa has a deep understanding and experience of the claims sector. She has a proven track record in developing new/new and new/existing business, implementing sales and retention strategies and leading major cultural change programmes. 

  With an MSc in Risk Management, Bartlett is a Fellow of the Institute of Risk Management and the Chartered Insurance Institute. 

  

  Lisa Patel

  Chief Executive Officer – Health UK
  Aon

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  Lisa Patel

  Chief Executive Officer – Health UK
  Aon

  

  Hannah Pring

  Senior Vice President, Head of Compliance
  Lockton

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  Hannah Pring

  Senior Vice President, Head of Compliance
  Lockton

  Hannah Pring specialises in Regulatory Compliance. She is Head of Compliance at Lockton, the world’s largest privately held insurance broker, and has a wealth of London Market experience. Hannah has developed a high performing team and actively leads projects that develop Lockton’s wider corporate culture, interacting with the business at all levels. Hannah is an Executive MBA candidate at King’s College London, and recipient of the Women Excelling in Business scholarship award, funded by The 30% Club. Hannah also hosts the Miracle Working Mums podcast, her personal passion project which you can listen to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Hannah is passionate about supporting women in business and increasing the female contribution to economic growth. As life has become increasingly stressful and demanding Hannah has become keen to use stress as a strength by actively managing it to avoid fatigue and burnout. 

• 2:00 PM

  Speed networking

  Expand your network, make new connections, and meet fellow delegates in a structured networking session. 

   

  Learning objectives:

  • Expand your networking by meeting at least two fellow delegates you have not met before

   

  

  Maxine Goddard

  Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
  Sompo International

  ×

  

  Maxine Goddard

  Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
  Sompo International

  Maxine Goddard is SVP, Strategic Distribution and Development for Global Markets at Sompo International with over 20 years’ international experience across insurance, banking, oil and gas, and the United Nations. She is responsible for broker management and broker portfolio development as well as strategic initiatives in the distribution space.  

  Prior to her role at Sompo, Maxine was the global Head of Sales Operations & Planning at Zurich Insurance and led the delivery of various strategic initiatives before joining Sompo International in 2021. Maxine is an award-winning champion for greater inclusivity across the insurance industry. She also sits on the Advisory Board of the ISC Group as a champion for gender balance and acts as a Strategic Advisor to the industry-wide Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN). She is also the co-chair of RATL, the Race Action though Leadership group uniquely aimed at CEOs and Board Chairs.  

  Maxine is also a regular public speaker on race and ethnicity. Her work across the insurance industry involves raising awareness of the challenges faced by Persons of Colour from recruitment through to career development and senior progression; and their exit.  

  Her work involves mentoring, sponsoring, holding listening sessions, focus groups while educating middle management, hiring managers and external recruiters and broadly garnering C-Suite executive sponsorship. This enabled her to get over 50 C-Suite executives to volunteer as mentors to a range of BME professionals across the industry. She chaired the Annual Diversity Summit for the Association of British Insurers in 2021. Maxine was the first winner of the Insurance Award as the Race Champion in 2019.  

  She was recently recognised as a 2022 Business Insurance Woman to Watch and was also the winner of the Women in Insurance 2020 Role Model of the Year at the Women in Insurance Awards. She has repeatedly been named as an Elite Women by Insurance Business UK and in the annual Yahoo! Finance EMpower 100 UK national list. She was a finalist at the UK Made a Difference 33 awards (MAD33). She previously chaired the Zurich Cultural Awareness Network and had been key to leading their multicultural D&I strategy including the publication of the Zurich UK ethnicity pay gap report in 2020, the first for the insurance industry.  

  Maxine has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London and is an active Livery member with the Worshipful Company of Insurers sitting on their Membership and Education Strategy Committees.  

• 2:15 PM

  Networking coffee break

• 2:45 PM

  Interactive coaching: Being woman – a powerful approach to self-advocacy and the route to effective negotiation

  This interactive, coach-led session promises to place a spotlight on your self-worth, giving you practical tools to help you prepare for difficult conversations for personal career advancement and secure the outcome you need. 

  Learning objectives:

  • Learn how to advocate for yourself
  • Learn practical tools to prepare for negotiation conversations

   

  

  Louise Harrison

  Executive Coach
  Meyer Harrison

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  Louise Harrison

  Executive Coach
  Meyer Harrison

  Louise is an effective, direct, no nonsense executive coach changing the outcome for women in insurance.  

  With more than 35 years knowledge of the insurance market Louise understands every aspect of the insurance transaction. Previously a VP at Marsh McLennan now a certified CTI coach and ACC with the international Coaching federation. Mother of three.  

  www.meyerharrison.com 

• 3:15 PM

  Fireside chat: Accelerating your career – the latest scoop on skills development

  The industry is rapidly changing, and leaders need to be at the forefront to deliver business objectives. How can you ensure you are performing at your best through self-driven learning and development? This fireside chat on skills development will discuss strategies to develop capabilities and skillsets for career advancement. Among the issues to be explored: 

  • What are the top three emerging leadership skills, and how can we develop them?  
  • How can managers and executives encourage and prioritise learning and development for themselves and their teams?  
  • Overcoming challenges, such as leading inclusively and authentically in a hybrid environment, juggling multiple responsibilities, and collaboration among multi-generational teams 
  • Tips on how to take the next step in your career

   

  Learning objectives:

  • Learn the top three leadership skills that are crucial today
  • Learn how leaders and managers can prioritise learning and development for themselves and their teams
  • Learn how to overcome today’s leadership challenges: how to lead inclusively and authentically in a hybrid environment; how to encourage collaboration among multigenerational teams
  • Learn how to take the next step in your career

   

  Moderator

  

  Christine Williams

  Managing General Counsel – Claim
  Travelers

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  Christine Williams

  Managing General Counsel – Claim
  Travelers

  Christine is a dual-qualified Barrister, Mediator and Chartered insurer with over 20 years’ experience in the Lloyd’s and London insurance market.

  Christine studied law at the Inns of Court School of Law in London and qualified as a Barrister in 2000. She practised at the Bar and has worked as in-house counsel in a City law firm. She went on to qualify as a Mediator in 2009 and cross-qualified as a Solicitor in 2010. In 2015 she joined Travelers Insurance as Senior Counsel and was promoted to Managing General Counsel (Claim) in 2016.

  Christine has extensive experience of the Lloyd’s and London market as well as the P&I market where she commenced her insurance career. She has held senior roles within both the claims and underwriting disciplines. 

  During her career Christine has championed learning and development initiatives and has regularly participated as a speaker at roundtables, workshops, and seminars around the world dealing with legal and insurance maters. She speaks fluent Spanish having lived and worked in Madrid. 

  Notable achievements during Christine’s career have been a collaboration with the Chartered Insurance Institute’s “Discover Risk” project aimed at attracting undergraduates and school leavers into insurance; being elected as Chair of the British Insurance Law Association (2018 – 2020) and being voted Insurance Lawyer of the Year in 2020 by the Women in Insurance Awards. 

  In her spare time, out of her many activities, Christine enjoys the performing arts. She was selected to perform with her flamenco dance school in a show which took place at the Peacock theatre in London as part of the London annual Flamenco dance festival. 

  Panelists

  

  Mandy Hunt

  Chairperson, CII’s Underwriting Community Board, Former Chief Underwriting Officer
  Commercial Lines, RSA

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  Mandy Hunt

  Chairperson, CII’s Underwriting Community Board, Former Chief Underwriting Officer
  Commercial Lines, RSA

  Having previously held the MD role at Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands, until recently, Mandy was Chief Underwriting Officer for Commercial at RSA. She took up the role after returning from RSA’s business ICCI where she was the Managing Director for 3.5 years. An underwriter at heart, as CUO she influenced both the quality of the underwriting and the loss ratio performance for Commercial. Mandy loves to support, mentor and coach on career development. 

  Mandy is also the executive sponsor of RSA Balance and a member of the Advisory Board for the Society of Underwriting Professionals at the Chartered Insurance Institute. 

  Currently taking some time out before embarking on her next role, Mandy is enjoying family life. 

  

  Shanil Williams

  Chief Underwriting Officer
  Allianz Commercial

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  Shanil Williams

  Chief Underwriting Officer
  Allianz Commercial

  Shanil Williams is the Chief Underwriting Officer at Allianz Commercial, a member of the AGCS Global Diversity Council, and a co-Sponsor of the Allianz Pride Network. With Regional & Global Leadership experience, he has a passion for leading diverse and inclusive teams who in turn drive positive cultural change. Shanil has lived and worked in 6 different countries across UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa giving him diverse international experience. He enjoys mentoring and reverse mentoring for teams across functions, using these opportunities to listen, learn, and help drive progress in all aspects of Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. 

• 3:55 PM

  Closing remarks from chairperson

  

  Maxine Goddard

  Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
  Sompo International

  ×

  

  Maxine Goddard

  Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
  Sompo International

  Maxine Goddard is SVP, Strategic Distribution and Development for Global Markets at Sompo International with over 20 years’ international experience across insurance, banking, oil and gas, and the United Nations. She is responsible for broker management and broker portfolio development as well as strategic initiatives in the distribution space.  

  Prior to her role at Sompo, Maxine was the global Head of Sales Operations & Planning at Zurich Insurance and led the delivery of various strategic initiatives before joining Sompo International in 2021. Maxine is an award-winning champion for greater inclusivity across the insurance industry. She also sits on the Advisory Board of the ISC Group as a champion for gender balance and acts as a Strategic Advisor to the industry-wide Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN). She is also the co-chair of RATL, the Race Action though Leadership group uniquely aimed at CEOs and Board Chairs.  

  Maxine is also a regular public speaker on race and ethnicity. Her work across the insurance industry involves raising awareness of the challenges faced by Persons of Colour from recruitment through to career development and senior progression; and their exit.  

  Her work involves mentoring, sponsoring, holding listening sessions, focus groups while educating middle management, hiring managers and external recruiters and broadly garnering C-Suite executive sponsorship. This enabled her to get over 50 C-Suite executives to volunteer as mentors to a range of BME professionals across the industry. She chaired the Annual Diversity Summit for the Association of British Insurers in 2021. Maxine was the first winner of the Insurance Award as the Race Champion in 2019.  

  She was recently recognised as a 2022 Business Insurance Woman to Watch and was also the winner of the Women in Insurance 2020 Role Model of the Year at the Women in Insurance Awards. She has repeatedly been named as an Elite Women by Insurance Business UK and in the annual Yahoo! Finance EMpower 100 UK national list. She was a finalist at the UK Made a Difference 33 awards (MAD33). She previously chaired the Zurich Cultural Awareness Network and had been key to leading their multicultural D&I strategy including the publication of the Zurich UK ethnicity pay gap report in 2020, the first for the insurance industry.  

  Maxine has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London and is an active Livery member with the Worshipful Company of Insurers sitting on their Membership and Education Strategy Committees.  

• 4:00 PM

  Networking drinks reception