Dive In calls for insurers to build safer work cultures – both on & offline

The popular Dive In Festival, which aims to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (D&I) in the insurance world, has been confirmed for its eighth consecutive year.

This year’s festival, to be held from September 27 to 29, will focus on the theme of ‘Building Braver Cultures’, calling on the insurance industry to build environments where people feel safe, valued, respected and free to express themselves.

The organisers have decided to conduct the festival virtually once again, allowing participants from all over the world to break down the geographical barriers and create a stronger global dialogue on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Since its launch in 2015, Dive In has continued to grow in both numbers and geography, reaching its largest ever global audience last year. In previous years, the festival has explored how organisations can take decisive action to embrace a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The focus in 2022 is to build braver, psychologically safe work cultures – both on and offline – that truly allow people to feel safe, valued, respected and free to express themselves.

The festival’s global partners include AIG, Allied World Assurance, Aon, Arch Capital Group, Aviva, AXA XL, AXIS Capital, BMS, Chubb, CNA Hardy, DLA Piper, Everest Re, Gallagher, Howden and DUAL Group, Kennedys, Liberty Mutual, Lloyd's, Markel, MS Amlin, RenaissanceRe, Tokio Marine Kiln, Travelers, Willis Towers Watson.

“This year’s important theme is about how diverse groups of people think and act in the workplace in response to the environments created by both colleagues and leadership,” the organisers said. “It calls on attendees to build working cultures where all people are recognised and empowered to speak and behave authentically.”

Lloyd’s head of culture Mark Lomas, said: “The festival has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2015, with attendees joining us from around the world to discuss important issues on diversity, equity and inclusion. This year we’ve had record numbers of sponsors approach us to express interest in hosting an event at the festival, in what will be another truly global push for change.”

BMS' group head of diversity, equity & inclusion, and member of the Dive In Steering Committee, Louisa Erwin (pictured) added: “Dive In provides a pivotal platform for powerful conversations and debates around the most pressing topics within the industry and society as a whole. This year we aim to accelerate the creation of psychologically safe environments within our organisations, created by colleagues and leadership.”

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