The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) and Lloyd’s will co-host the first Underwriting Talent Summit on November 24 at the Lloyd's building, bringing together senior underwriting leaders, CEOs and CUOs to address the persistent gender gap in underwriting leadership.
Themed “Ring the Bell”, the summit will celebrate women already in senior underwriting positions while focusing on practical measures to expand female representation across all levels of the market.
The initiative aims to remove barriers to advancement and promote sustainable policy changes that foster leadership development.
Sheila Cameron (pictured above, left), CEO of the LMA, said the event serves as a call to action to “ring the bell” for progress, addressing the shortage of women in senior underwriting roles across the Lloyd’s market. Cameron added that lasting change requires collaboration across managing agents to ensure women are supported through structured career pathways and mentorship opportunities.
Rachel Turk (pictured above, right), chief of market performance at Lloyd’s, said the summit is about delivering “lasting, generational change” rather than symbolic gestures. She emphasised that diversity strengthens decision-making, risk selection, and overall business outcomes, which are key factors in maintaining underwriting profitability and market competitiveness.
For a more diverse leadership
Greater gender diversity in underwriting leadership could have far-reaching effects on the insurance industry. A broader range of perspectives enhances how risks are evaluated and priced, leading to more balanced underwriting decisions and innovation in product design.
Research across the financial sector showed that diverse leadership teams are more likely to identify emerging risks, adapt to regulatory shifts, and respond to evolving customer needs - critical advantages as insurers navigate complex exposures such as climate change, AI, and geopolitical uncertainty.
By embedding diversity into the market’s talent strategy, Lloyd’s and the LMA aim to strengthen the industry’s ability to manage systemic risks while maintaining a competitive edge globally. The summit’s outcomes are expected to shape future talent policies and support long-term resilience across the insurance value chain.
