PAVLOS SPYROPOULOS

Country Manager, Singapore, Lloyd's & CEO, Lloyd's Asia

Changing culture in an organization takes time and requires leadership at all levels. While senior management can set the tone, people at all levels need to model the right behaviors and be prepared to challenge colleagues or other stakeholders to make changes where necessary.

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ANN CHUA

Head of Asia

AXA XL, a division of AXA

Diversity in a practical sense to me is to recognize, tap on and listen to the diverse talent within an organization regardless of gender, age, race, cultural background, sexuality, social mobility, faith, caring responsibilities, mental health and physical impairments.
 
Diversity is important but it’s inclusion that really counts - ensuring that everyone regardless of differences and abilities feels included in the organization. It is also about creating an environment that everyone feels comfortable bringing their whole selves to work and has an equal opportunity to be successful.

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KERRIE LALICH

Chief Operations Officer

Lawcover Insurance P/L

It is important that if you are to succeed, that you are personally aware of your triggers and weak spots and continue to look for improvements to them.

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MARK NEWMAN

CEO Asia Pacific & MENA

Canopius Group

The other significant and often over-looked opportunity, is in the value of networking – widening your business and social connectivity across the business community.  

Whether it is WIRE, Girls in Tech, Protégé, these are all fantastic networking and kindred spirited communities, specifically supporting women in the workplace.  

They are all structured, focused and very well run, and offer fantastic opportunities to meet people, learn and engage with a wider business community.

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MARC HAUSHOFER

Chairman

Singapore Reinsurers' Association

Give yourself time to develop solid skills and an appealing personality. It’s the best investment you can make for yourself and your employer.

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SHARON JOANNE OOI

Managing Director, Head of Property & Casualty Underwriting Asia Pacific, 

Swiss Re Asia Pte. Ltd.

Be open, unassuming and respect differences. It is so important that everyone feels they have a place in the organization. And there is a clear business case for this – if you are happy, you deliver better results at work.

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NICOLA STACEY

Chief Underwriting Officer

Chaucer

​I think it’s important for all companies to create a culture where women feel comfortable and supported to apply for more senior roles

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ANNA KOHLS

Head of Group Reinsurance, Asia-Pacific

Allianz SE

If you want to be successful in today’s complex, inter-connected and digitalized world, you need to ensure that within your own workforce you are representative of the community that you serve.

There is evidence that diverse teams will be able to foster innovation, make better decisions and show empathy in ways that homogeneous groups seldom do.

Diversity is not a nice to have but a must.

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JOSH BREKENFELD

Director of Global Corporate Development

Aspen

Luck favors the prepared. Luck may open the door for you, may get you that chance introduction, but if you are not doing your homework, honing your craft and developing your skill set, you may not be in a position to take that opportunity. Take charge of your own development and be curious about the industry around you – that way you are ready for when opportunities knock."

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MAURICE WILLIAMS

Managing Director,

Willis Re

There should be no ceiling or obstacle to women succeeding in all areas and at every level of our industry. Somewhat fortuitously the pressure to achieve self-declared targets around gender-parity in leadership will open more senior doors to women in the short term. But the playing field was designed by men, to suit men, and is blatantly uneven. This needs to be overhauled with a particular focus on supporting parents through child-bearing and rearing years in an even-handed manner.

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