There has been plenty of talk of diversity and inclusion initiatives in the insurance sector in the past 12 months. While that is welcome, the more important step is producing tangible actions to improve the situation.
Consulting firm LCP collected the InsuranceERM award for diversity initiative of the year for doing precisely that.
Flexible working policies and programmes to help staff return from parental leave are at the core of LCP's efforts, and the firm says it has commenced a "broad remit" for diversity training. These include mandatory sessions on training for recruiters and team leaders on the issues of diversity and bias.
Catherine Drummond, partner at LCP, explains the key to its success in this area is simply continuing the firm's long-established culture.
"It's very easy see diversity initiatives out there and while they look good on paper, translating them properly into a firm's culture can be difficult.
"We found these were things we were already doing because of the culture LCP already had, so it was very much cementing and publicising what we're already doing to support all areas of diversity and inclusion," says Drummond.
LCP also say 10% of its employees are trained as mental health "first aiders", having ran several two-day certification programmes training employees in such matters and providing mental health awareness sessions.
"One of the things coming to the forefront recently is mental health and how it needs to be recognised and supported," says Drummond.
"It's also about ensuring there are enough people within the business who can spot the issues and support people where needed."
Externally, the firm participates in the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' mentoring scheme for members, specifically designed to increase diversity at its senior levels. Retaining female actuaries for longer periods of time is a key focus of the scheme.
Other events the firm have been involved in include Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transsexual (LGBT+) networking events, its first representation at London Pride as well as a multicultural networking event designed to harness black talent.
