Crafting tomorrow’s talent

Aon aims to future-proof the industry with a sustainable workforce.

“We’re going to need so many diverse perspectives and different ways of thinking,” says Katherine Conway, global inclusion lead at Aon.

As Aon prepares to host its Dive In Festival panel about sustainable workforces in September, Conway spoke to Intelligent Insurer to reflect on the industry’s journey over the past decade and offer advice to our readers.

Conway began by emphasising the importance of concentrating on the future, especially in the context of Dive In’s 10-year anniversary.

“It’s an important time in our industry for looking ahead in terms of the skills we’re going to need,” she noted.

With increasing digitisation and the growing complexity of risks—be it climate risk, socio-economic factors, or political instability—the need to equip the workforce with the right tools and perspectives has never been more urgent, she said.

“Our industry is facing a lot of uncertainty,” Conway continued.

“We want to make sure that we are bringing the right people into the industry and showcasing it as a great place to work.”

As the industry adapts to changes, the importance of diverse perspectives cannot be overstated, according to Conway.

“What’s got us here over the last 10 years might not be enough to get us to the next decade,” Conway asserted.

 A journey towards inclusion

With 14 years’ experience at Aon, Conway’s background is in communications, colleague engagement and building a purpose with employees.

“I came into Aon as head of communications and corporate social responsibility for the UK, and I started to focus on diversity and inclusion in 2014,” she recalled.

Conway’s role expanded from UK to global inclusion leadership, giving her a front-row seat at the evolution of Dive In.

“Dive In started in 2015, and it’s grown from a small UK-based initiative to a global festival in more than 50 countries,” she said with pride.

“We have 150 events lined up this year. In addition to our in-person events, all sessions will be accessible for virtual attendance.”

The global nature of Dive In has enriched the festival, with each country bringing its unique perspective to the conversation.

“The discussions around inclusion are different in each country depending on what’s going on politically, the culture in the country, and the maturity level of the inclusion conversation,” Conway explained.

“Some countries feel they’re just getting started, whereas others such as the US and the UK are pretty mature.

“It’s a fascinating mix of people, events, ideas, and celebration,” she commented.

Building a sustainable future

For Conway, Dive In is more than just an annual event—it’s a manifestation of Aon’s core values.

“Inclusion is woven into our values at Aon. One of them is: ‘We are united in trust as one inclusive and diverse firm’.

“It’s embedded in everything we do to be inclusive and to understand the different perspectives and talents we have in our organisation.

“Dive In allows us to showcase that, because it’s not just about having diverse perspectives; it’s about listening to them.”

“We’ve been working hard to get out to a broader audience to showcase what the industry does.” Katherine Conway, Aon

Drawing in a new talent pool

As the industry works to attract more diverse talent, Conway highlighted some of the innovative approaches Aon has adopted.

“There’s no point in having a big diverse global team if you don’t allow everyone to feel trusted, valued, and able to give their voice.

“Traditionally in insurance, candidates have tended to know somebody in the industry, so we’ve been working hard to get out to a broader audience to showcase what the industry does,” Conway explained.

One such initiative is the Work Insights programme which turns the traditional work experience model on its head.

“We go out to schools, particularly in underprivileged areas, and take young people into our offices for three days,” Conway explained.

“We give them workshops and skills and build their awareness of working in the industry. The aim is to take in 1,000 young people a year around the country,” Conway elaborated.

The success of this programme has been remarkable, and Conway remarked on “the phenomenal number of young people” connecting with her on LinkedIn to share their experience of the programme.

Once diverse talent is attracted, retaining them requires creating an inclusive culture.

“It’s about making sure everyone feels welcome and celebrated for bringing something different to the organisation,” Conway explained.

Aon has many business resource groups led by colleagues—ethnicity groups, pride networks, and more—that help all colleagues feel they belong when they see people like themselves succeeding.

“We’re focusing on how we can better support neurodivergent colleagues within our workforce,” Conway notes.

“It’s not just about accommodation; it’s about valuing the unique contributions that neurodivergent individuals bring to the table.”

This approach ensures that the workforce is diverse in terms of demographics and also in cognitive diversity, which is crucial for driving innovation.

Cross-industry collaboration

Looking ahead, Conway is excited about what the future holds for Dive In.

“I’m looking forward to launch day on August 15, when registration opens and we see all the amazing speakers and events.

“With this being the 10-year anniversary, the theme of building a sustainable future is fantastic,” she said.

“Our industry is facing significant challenges, but with the right people, the right perspectives, and a commitment to inclusion, we’re well-positioned to build a sustainable and successful future.”

Conway emphasised the importance of sector-wide collaboration in driving inclusion.

“In our industry, organisations that could be classed as competitors work together in this space.

“There’s an amazing community of leaders who connect regularly, share activities, and support each other,” she concluded.

Registration for Dive In 2024 begins on August 15. Visit www.diveinfestival.com for more details.

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