Diversity and inclusion are hot topics in insurance and it seems that what was a niche subject matter a few years ago, has suddenly gone mainstream.

Vicky Carter, Chairman of Global Capital Solutions, International at Guy Carpenter and double award winner at last year’s Women in Insurance Awards, has today been announced as the keynote speaker at the inaugural Women in Insurance Live conference.

Following the success of the inaugural Women in Insurance Awards, the awards are set to take place for their 2nd year on Tuesday 10 November at the Royal Lancaster London. The awards showcase the achievements of women in the general insurance market. 

It wasn’t until 1920 that the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) started to admit female members, a full eight years after gaining its Royal Charter.

Even though the institute moved relatively quickly to address that discrimination in much the same way the wider world and other professions did, it took nearly 100 years for the CII to appoint its first female CEO.

Lloyd's has, by anyone's estimation, had a tough couple of months. A slew of sexual harassment claims have shone a harsh spotlight on the world's oldest and largest insurance market.

Earlier this week, I asked why the industry needs an awards ceremony dedicated to women. Hopefully, that question was answered by Simone Broadhurst and David Worsfold. But if there was any lingering doubt, the steady stream of tales of sexual harassment coming out of the London Market should dispel it.

But risk has, arguably, been a discipline in which it has been harder for women to attain the top roles. A 2016 report from Oliver Wyman, Women in Financial Services, found that only 15% of Chief Risk Officers globally are women. Which is ironic as studies indicate that women may actually make better risk managers than men.