ABOUT
Women in Insurance UK is thrilled to welcome the insurance industry to reconnect face-to-face for a live summit dedicated to empowering women and allies, developing a new generation of leaders, and advancing the careers of diverse insurance professionals.
This event will provide the industry with an incredible opportunity to build new bonds, explore leadership strategies, get inspired to make small (and big) changes in your career, and most importantly – work with a purpose in an industry that is constantly innovating to exceed clients’ needs and provide equal opportunities for men and women.
Featuring inspiring speakers from leading companies, an agenda packed with powerful sessions on hot-button topics, and dedicated time for networking and relationship building, this event is exactly what every insurance professional needs on their calendar for 2023.
Join us in celebrating the resilience of the insurance industry and uniting as a community once again.
Why attend?
Enhance your career with career-building leadership strategies.
Get the negotiation tips and tactics you need to advance your career.
Make meaningful connections and network with top insurance leaders .
Get the latest updates on market trends, emerging opportunities, natural disasters and climate risks.
SPEAKERS

Claire Lomas MBE
The Bionic Woman

Maxine Goddard
Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
Sompo International

Peter Blanc ACII
Head of M&A
Howden Group Holdings

Lisa Patel
Chief Executive Officer – Health UK
Aon

Claire Weston
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Insurance UK Ltd, Munich Re

Lisa Bartlett
President, UK & Ireland
Crawford & Company

Dee Brecker
Executive Coach
Ginkgo Coaching & Consulting

Eszter Dara
Workplace Wellbeing Coach
Inner Truth Conversations

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

Paul Lucas
Global Managing Editor
Insurance Business

Georgina Robinson
Partner – Construction
McGill and Partners

Louise Smith
Global Digital Leader
WTW

Meghan Walker
Head of Aviation
Liberty Specialty Markets

Shanil Williams
Chief Underwriting Officer
Allianz Commercial
AGENDA
All times in GMT
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Opening remarks from chairperson
Maxine Goddard
Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
Sompo International -
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.
Claire Lomas MBE
The Bionic Woman
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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
Panelists
Peter Blanc ACII
Head of M&A
Howden Group HoldingsLouise Smith
Global Digital Leader
WTW -
Networking coffee break
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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?
Claire Weston
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Insurance UK Ltd, Munich ReModerator
Paul Lucas
Global Managing Editor
Insurance Business -
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
Eszter Dara
Workplace Wellbeing Coach
Inner Truth Conversations -
Networking lunch
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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
Moderator
Georgina Robinson
Partner – Construction
McGill and PartnersPanelists
Lisa Bartlett
President, UK & Ireland
Crawford & CompanyLisa Patel
Chief Executive Officer – Health UK
Aon -
Speed networking
Expand your network, make new connections, and meet fellow delegates in a structured networking session.
Maxine Goddard
Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
Sompo International -
Networking coffee break
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Interactive coaching: Know your worth – How to negotiate during pay discussions
Gender pay inequity exists at all levels in the insurance profession. This interactive and empowering coach-led session will provide you with the confidence to negotiate your remuneration and prepare for promotion while meeting the needs of your organisation. Among the topics that will be discussed:
- How to prepare for the conversation to get the outcome you want
- Understanding your compensation expectations, incentives, and career progression
- Alternative compensation models that value performance and outcomes
Dee Brecker
Executive Coach
Ginkgo Coaching & Consulting -
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
Panelists
Mandy Hunt
Chairperson, CII’s Underwriting Community Board, Former Chief Underwriting Officer
Commercial Lines, RSAMeghan Walker
Head of Aviation
Liberty Specialty MarketsShanil Williams
Chief Underwriting Officer
Allianz Commercial -
Closing remarks from chairperson
Maxine Goddard
Senior Vice President, Strategic Distribution & Development
Sompo International -
Networking drinks reception
SPONSORS
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Venue
HILTON LONDON CANARY WHARF
- S Quay Square, Marsh Wall, London E14 9SH, United Kingdom
- Website
TRAVEL PLANS
Preferred Accommodation
Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable taxes and fees. Rooms are subject to availability in each hotel. We recommend that you book as soon as possible or 45 days before the event at the latestHILTON LONDON CANARY WHARF
S Quay Square, Marsh Wall, London E14 9SH, United Kingdom
Book your group rate via the reservation link to secure the discounted rate.
Room rate: £10% off the best available rate plus tax per room/night
Book your group rate for Women in Insurance UK

REGISTRATION FOR WOMEN IN INSURANCE UK 2023 IS OPEN
Join us and hear from top leaders in the industry and make connections and become a force of change.