Lloyd’s CEO Beale, 5 Others in Insurance Named LGBT Role Models

AIG, Zurich Leaders Also Made Annual OUTstanding List

Lloyd’s of London CEO Inga Beale tops a list of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) executive role models compiled by a London-based business organization. She is also one of six insurance execs who made the annual ranking, along with peers from industry companies including AIG, Zurich Insurance and Aviva.

Beale said in a statement issued through Lloyd’s that her No. 1 ranking on the OUTstanding Top 100 Leading LGBT Executives listing for 2015 is “a delight and honor.” But she also credited the “whole London insurance sector” for its progress on bringing more diversity to the industry.

“I am proud of the commitment of Lloyd’s and the London insurance market to celebrate diversity and ensure we are an attractive, globally relevant and inclusive sector,” Beale said. “Inclusion is the foundation of innovation, and having an open, accepting and diverse workforce will enable us to succeed in a changing and challenging world.”

In being ranked the No. 1 LGBT role model, Beale was cited for the launch of Pride@Lloyds, an internal LGBT employee resource group, and her support of the LGBT insurance employee network LINK.

During a recent interview at the Reinsurance Rendezvous in Monte Carlo, Beale discussed attracting young talent into the insurance/reinsurance industry and how she is trying to foster diversity.

Beale also discussed the link between diversity and inclusion and about making Lloyd’s a more comfortable place for gays and lesbians in an interview with Carrier Management at the IICF Women in Insurance Global Conference in June.

Put together by OUTstanding and the Financial Times, among others, the list also includes Jan Gooding, group brand director at Aviva (No. 16); Angela Darlington, Aviva’s group chief risk officer (No. 32); Geoff Godwin, AIG’s U.K. chief underwriting officer (No. 37); Richard Beaven, distribution director for Swinton Insurance Ltd.; and Nick Major, chief underwriting officer, global corporate U.K. for Zurich Insurance.

Zurich U.K. spokesman Alex Jones told Carrier Management via email that Major’s recognition reflects the idea that “visible LGBT role models and allies play a critical role in creating inclusive environments and advancing fair treatment of everyone at work, at home, and in our communities.”

Jones noted that Major was a founding member of the UK insurance industry’s LGBT network, and “also is the executive sponsor of Zurich UK’s own network.”

OUTstanding, an organization for senior LGBT business executives, does its 100 senior LGBT executives list annually, along with a list of straight executives who are strong supporters of LGBT people and diversity in the workplace. Nominees are considered to be major role models who help make a workplace more welcoming and are also “successful senior LGBT executives working one to three levels from the chief executive.”

Greg Case, president and CEO of Broker Aon, made OUTstanding’s 2015 LGBT Ally list, a roundup of 30 senior executives “who are outspoken and unwavering in their support for LGBT people in the workplace.”

Related Videos: