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4 in 5 insurers have diversity strategies but only 1 in 5 top jobs are held by women

26/02/2018

Insurance industry publishes benchmark data on diversity for the first time

The most comprehensive survey ever carried out of talent and diversity in the insurance and long-term savings sector has revealed a majority of firms already have programmes in place to promote inclusion at the very top of their businesses.

The data collection, undertaken by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and published the day before the organisation’s Annual Conference, also demonstrates the scale of the challenge faced by the industry when it comes to getting women into top posts.

Headline findings of the ABI’s research, which is based on a data collection covering more than 82,000 staff, include:

  • 78% of companies have a diversity and inclusion strategy, with 74% having an executive sponsor for diversity and inclusion.
  • 73% of firms have an executive or management development programme that prioritises good gender balance, while 56% have a development programme targeting those that may be underrepresented.
  • 78% of companies have already provided unconscious bias training for staff.
  • For parents, 33% of firms have a returnship programme to help them with their return to work.

The sector’s current workforce is found to be 16% black, Asian or ethnic minority, compared with 14% in the general UK working age population. On gender, the industry is exactly split 50 / 50 across all levels, but despite this only 21% of executive and 21% of board positions are held by women.

Huw Evans, Director General of the ABI, said:

“Warm words and good intentions are not enough when it comes to addressing a lack of diversity within the insurance and long-term savings industry. Although there is a gender balance across our sector as a whole, four out of five executive and board roles are held by men.

“The ABI’s new research demonstrates that most firms are not just talking about change but are taking practical steps to make a difference, whether that is for LGBT+ staff or those from ethnic minorities. Investment in training and use of executive sponsors is high but more firms need to invest in returnship programmes to help new parents back to work.

“I know from my own conversations with industry leaders that there is a great determination at the very top of our member firms to tackle this issue. The ABI will continue to do all it can to support this change including conducting this research regularly so the sector can benchmark progress.”

Take a look at the findings here.

 

-ENDS-

 

Notes for Editors

1.      The percentages are calculated based on the companies that were able to respond to the relevant questions; this means not all values may be calculated on the same basis.

2.      The gender representation data is based on aggregated company data, it is not an average across participating companies.

3.      The ABI’s Annual Conference is being held on Tuesday 27th February 2018 in central London. Journalists interested in attending should email [email protected], requesting a press pass.

https://www.abi.org.uk/events/annual-conference-2018/

Enquiries to:
Malcolm Tarling                        020 7216 7410    Mobile: 07776 147667
Sarah Cordey                           020 7216 7375    Mobile: 07860 189071
Dominic Stannard                     020 7216 7350    Mobile: 07889  641702
Melanie Fernandes                   020 7216 7660    Mobile: 07720497617

The Association of British Insurers is the voice of the UK’s world leading insurance and long-term savings industry.

A productive, inclusive and thriving sector, we are an industry that provides peace of mind to households and businesses across the UK and powers the growth of local and regional economies by enabling trade, risk taking, investment and innovation.

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Last updated 26/02/2018