Dive In global participation set to rocket with help from UK's first female astronaut

Registration for over 90 diversity and inclusion events in 30+ countries is now open

• New virtual format makes festival most accessible in the world with up to 600 attendees per event
• For the first time, attendees will be able to partake in events across the globe, regardless of geography
• UK Education Secretary, Justine Greening; first British Astronaut, Helen Sharman; TV presenters Naga Munchetty and June Sarpong; Dutch comedian Jörgen Raymann, and Grammy award winning and Oscar nominated songwriter Siedah Garrett are confirmed for this year’s global festival

Registration for the insurance industry’s well-established festival for Diversity and Inclusion, Dive In, opened today, via diveinfestival.com. Thanks to its new virtual format, participants globally will now be able to attend any one of over 90 virtual events taking place in over 30 countries from the 22-24 September. Each event in the three-day virtual festival have a capacity of up to 600, making it the most accessible festival for diversity and inclusion in the world.

Against a backdrop of a global pandemic and mounting pressure to achieve racial equality from the Black Lives Matter movement, the festival will tackle some of the most pressing topics in diversity and inclusion. Events will cover subjects such as flexible working allyship, gender identity, white privilege, social mobility, as well as mental and physical health. Speakers and facilitators include former UK Education Secretary, Justine Greening; first British Astronaut, Helen Sharman; TV presenters Naga Munchetty and June Sarpong; Dutch comedian Jörgen Raymann; and Grammy award-winning and Oscar-nominated songwriter Siedah Garrett.

This year's theme of Local Voice, Global Impact highlights the pivotal role local voices play in global change. Festival go-ers were invited to take part in Dive In's video campaign discussing the impact the pandemic has had on diversity and inclusion around the world. The videos aired on Dive In social media channels throughout July.

2020 marks a milestone for nine countries including Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, France, Ireland, Singapore, Switzerland, and USA, which each celebrate their fifth year of hosting a Dive In Festival. Kennedys is proudly supporting this year's festival, once again, as a Global Festival Partner.

Reflecting on this year's festival Dominic Christian, Chair of Inclusion@Lloyd's (and Global Chairman of Aon's Reinsurance Solutions), said: "In light of recent events, the Dive In Festival's mission to advance the development of inclusive cultures that are vital for business and great for people is more important than ever. Once again we will be active in over 30 countries this year and our 500+ speakers and volunteers look forward to once again welcoming many thousands of participants all over the world for a packed schedule of inspirational and educational events."

Chief Executive of the Lloyd's Market Association and member of Inclusion@Lloyd's, Sheila Cameron added: "This year's Dive In Festival is shaping up to have the biggest global impact to date. For the first time, festival go-ers can attend events in countries all around the world, regardless of their own geography - that is pretty exciting. To be able to listen to the experience and impact of different D&I topics all around the world is a truly unique experience and something the insurance industry should be very proud of."

Suzanne Liversidge, Global Managing Partner at Kennedys, commented: "I genuinely care passionately about equality, diversity and inclusion, so I am delighted that we are a global partner of the Dive In Festival again this year. As a result of the virtual format of the festival, I'm really excited to see events that are happening all around the world being available for 'attendees' everywhere to join online. And I am especially looking forward to being involved in the festival's opening event, Creating the new Normal, with the BBC’s Naga Munchetty and Lloyd’s CEO John Neal, and also other events around the world in support of colleagues and clients."

To register for Dive In 2020 events, and for more information on previous festivals, visit the Dive In Festival website.

For further festival information and updates, see our Dive In 2020 website hub.