Kennedys reaffirms commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion agenda, with continued Dive In Festival sponsorship

For the sixth year, we are a proud global partner of Dive In, the international festival for diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in insurance and an initiative of Inclusion@Lloyd’s.

Now in its ninth year, Dive In continues to grow in impact and reach with the festival having expanded, in both numbers and geographic representation, year-on-year. In 2022 the festival grew once again, with a record 150 in-person and virtual events across 40 countries, reaching over 34,000 people worldwide.

The festival this year will be held from 26 – 28 September and focus on the theme of ‘Unlocking Innovation: The Power of Inclusion’, calling on the insurance industry to create cultures that value diverse perspectives, and encouraging those across both commercial and operational disciplines to help action change that will encourage greater inclusivity and drive innovation.

Building on the record-breaking success of Dive In 2022, this year’s festival is introducing “Dive In to Reverse Mentoring”. This initiative, aimed at fostering connections between leaders across diverse segments of the Lloyd’s market, and individuals at all levels, allows the sharing of experiences, perspectives and learning to continue beyond the three-day festival.

This year’s festival is to again operate in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual events, to break down geographical barriers and facilitate a robust global conversation centred around diversity, equity, inclusion and innovation.

Dive In affords the insurance industry the opportunity to improve DE&I in the workplace, and covers topics including ageism, LGBT+ inclusivity, mental health, non-visible disabilities, religious equality and social mobility. This year the festival will prioritise the need for innovation to assist the insurance industry in adapting to the changing landscape of the global economy.

Mark Lomas, Head of Culture at Lloyd’s, said: “We are proud to witness the continuous progress of inclusive cultures in our industry. Last year, over 40% of registered individuals acknowledged the insurance industry’s increased diversity and inclusivity since the inception of Dive In in 2015. This year, we spotlight the impactful policies and initiatives resulting from the Dive In Festival, fostering continuous improvement and driving innovation through our reverse mentoring initiative.”

Head of Strategy & Innovation at Lloyd’s, Tom Allebone-Webb, added: “We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just business objectives but urgent necessities. By actively involving the commercial side of businesses, we can fuel the much-needed innovation required in our industry. Everyone across the insurance industry will benefit from engaging with the festival to motivate them to take the necessary actions to make an inclusive and more innovative future a reality.” 

Kennedys’ Global Managing Partner, Suzanne Liversidge, says: “Dive In is a true highlight of the insurance industry’s global calendar, and Kennedys is proud to be a global partner once again. This year’s focus on the theme of innovation is crucial. Given the challenges the world currently faces, only a coalition of diverse minds with a range of perspectives and skillsets can hope to solve them. It is particularly exciting to be part of the festival’s reverse mentoring initiative, given its power to enrich us all within our work and wider worlds.”

Plans for the 2023 festival are well underway, and festival participants can look forward to a huge number of great events, covering many different global DE&I perspectives, with a focus on how greater inclusivity can drive innovation.

Dive In’s launch press release: https://diveinfestival.com/dive-in-aims-to-unlock-innovation-in-2023-festival/

For further festival information and updates, see our Dive In website hub.