iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network

🏮 CONGRATS to the Finalists! As partners of Insurance Times for the Insurance Times Awards 2024 and sponsors of the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award, we want to congratulate the finalists!! Celebrating excellence, impact and innovation across the breadth of UK general insurance, the 2024 Insurance Times Awards  will take place on the evening of Wednesday 4th December  in the iconic Great Room  of London’s Grosvenor House. Hosted by TV and radio broadcaster Claudia Winkleman, an amazing 37 awards will be up for grabs with just under 200 finalists battling it out for Gold, Silver and Bronze honours. So a huge congrats this year to the finalists of the D&I Excellence Award: 🎯 Aon 🎯 Covéa Insurance 🎯 QBE Insurance 🎯 Crawford & Company 🎯 Damhurst & Co 🎯 Clyde & Co For your brilliant entries... who is going to win? We can't wait to see next week... Find out soon at the Insurance Times Awards - check out the rest of finalists here - https://lnkd.in/eqsxzdKK Good luck to all the nominees! 🔔 Follow iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network and watch our socials for upcoming events. 📌 Sign up to become an iCAN member here: https://lnkd.in/eWEXEnns Riza Jones / Phil Davison / Chantal Kapani / Clare Ruel / Savan Shah / Mandy O'Connor / Yiannis Kotoulas #ITAwards #iCANaction #awards #dei #insurance

🤘 Making new connections in the Insurance Industry! We recently hosted our last Speed Networking Event of the year in partnership with Phoenix Group, and what an evening it was, lead by iCAN Committee Members Gareth Mutema Cert CII and Arit Amana LLB LLM FCIS/FCG! It was fantastic to see so many of you making new connections, sharing ideas, and engaging in meaningful discussions that will undoubtedly lead to future opportunities. The structured format helped ensure that everyone had a chance to introduce themselves, share their background, and connect quickly and effectively. A huge thank you to our sponsors at Phoenix Group for helping create such an incredible experience, and to all the participants who brought enthusiasm and openness to the event. We loved seeing everyone getting stuck in, expanding networks, and laying the foundations for their personal and professional growth. Thanks to Funlola Allo and the wider Phoenix team! 🔔 Stay tuned to iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for the latest news and updates. 📌 Become an iCAN member here: https://lnkd.in/exjz55Uj Colleen W. / Michaela Gibson / Imran Khan / Rabya Akhtar / Dilesh Sangaran #powernetworking #icanaction #dei

🤩 Last week’s Diwali Celebrations in Birmingham were unforgettable! We gathered for the iCAN Birmingham Festival of Lights Diwali event, proudly hosted in partnership with Marsh and Allianz - And what an amazing evening it was! We celebrated culture, connection, and community, lighting up the Birmingham insurance market in true Diwali spirit. Our Birmingham Lead, Jimmy Kumar, and Co-Lead, Ana Gomes-Freire ACII, did a fantastic job bringing everyone together for a night that was both vibrant and impactful. From traditional bhangra dancing to delicious Indian cuisine, the atmosphere was filled with festive energy and warmth, reminding us all of the power of coming together. Thank you to our wonderful partners, our speakers, our dancers, our caterers and of course, everyone who attended! We can’t wait for what’s next for iCAN Birmingham in 2025! 📌 Make sure to follow iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for more updates on our events and initiatives. 🔗 Become an iCAN member here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd Rajesh Poselay / Angela Irvine ACII / Sam Franks #Diwali2024 #festivaloflights #Networking #iCANCommunities #Birmingham #insurance

🎄Let's celebrate! ➡️ Join us for Diversity Partner Networks London Festive Drinks! The Partner Networks are thrilled to invite our members to our annual festive drinks celebration on 11th December at One Under Lime, London. We’re a group of cross-market networks committed to diversity and inclusion within the insurance industry, and we’d love for you to come along for an evening of networking, festivities, and cheer! If you aren't following us yet, do it today! 💫 iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network 💫 The Insurance Families Network 💫 Link: LGBTQ+ Insurance Network 💫 Gender Inclusion Network 💫 iDAWN 💫 Next Generation Insurance Network ("NGIN") Spaces are limited, so be sure to grab your ticket soon! 🎟️ 📅 Wednesday, 11th December ⏰ 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM 🪙 Tickets cost £10 📍 One Under Lime, 1 Leadenhall Place, London EC3M 7DX 🔗 Tickets: https://lnkd.in/exgg4Nrt Drinks and festive food are included! 🍷🍽️ Join us for an evening of connection, inclusion, and holiday celebration! 🔔 Follow iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for more events, initiatives and news 📌 Become an iCAN member here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd Erik Johnson / Jane Bioletti / Kalpesh Shah / Kishan Mangat / Maurice Rose / Michaela Gibson / Charlotte West ACII / Elena Ruano Cusac / Frederica Moore / Kirat Kaur Nandra MICM (Grad) / Maxim Cook / Taylor McTaggart / Sam Daruvala #festivedrinks #networking #dei #insurance

🤖 Our first iCAN AI Conference! iCAN Innovate! How does the future of the insurance industry look with AI being integrated? Last week, we hosted our inaugural Innovate: AI, Skills & Future of Work in Insurance Conference, in partnership with Arch Insurance International and Ki Insurance—and what an incredible success it was! This event brought together leading voices from across the industry for a day filled with insight, learning, and a glimpse into how AI is shaping the future of work, skills, and careers in insurance. We heard from Ketan Motwani, Kishan Mangat, Dr Rashada Harry, Daniel Hulme, Jonathan Mascie-Taylor, Mel Zhang & Zhe Feng, and Jonas Haefele. They guided us through topics like harnessing the power of generative AI, building secure internal AI tools, and how to leverage AI effectively through better role assignment and understanding its capabilities. A major highlight was our panel discussion on futureproofing skills and career planning: ➡️ Maddy Robson talked about the need for technically adept people who are also willing to trust new technologies, urging us to broaden our experiences to meet industry needs. ➡️ Dr Rashada Harry emphasised the collaborative journey of learning, and how leadership must pass on the baton to truly foster change at every level. ➡️ Ed Gaze explored the evolution of junior roles in insurance, focusing on how AI is transforming manual tasks and why data literacy is becoming increasingly important. ➡️ Claire Tunley highlighted the value of empathy and adaptability as foundational qualities for navigating a future that is both fast-paced and tech-driven. Our first-ever AI conference has laid the groundwork for important conversations about technology, inclusion, and leadership in the insurance sector. It was a day that not only looked at what AI can do for our industry today, but also how we can prepare ourselves - and our workforce - for tomorrow. With AI being a core theme of iCAN for 2025 - we can't wait to bring you more next year! 📙 Read the full event recap here: https://lnkd.in/eWBdKuJM 🔔 Follow iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for more updates on upcoming events and opportunities. 📌 Become an iCAN member here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd #AI #iCANInnovate #dei #insurance

✨ A great day at the Women in Insurance Summit 2024! Our iCAN team - Echaunti Swan, Kishan Mangat, and Bal Mahil - had the incredible opportunity to attend / speak at the Women in Insurance Summit this year. It was a day filled with insights from inspiring speakers, including Anna Hemmings MBE, OLY, Lois Ireson, Leon Walker LL.B, and Yeside Kazeem FIA, FNAS, who all shared their unique perspectives on career growth, leadership, and creating more inclusive workplaces. Some of our key highlights: 👉 Anna emphasised how a positive mindset shapes your success, from setting extraordinary goals and embracing failure to prioritising recovery. 👉 Leon shared his tips for future-proofing your career by effectively leveraging your network, reminding us of the importance of follow-up to build lasting connections. 👉 Yeside spoke about career progression, highlighting key strategies such as embracing curiosity, cultivating role models and mentors, and expanding your network through challenging new projects. 👉 Loid taught up about impacting upwards, and therefore influencing leadership! We learn how to align proposals with leadership priorities, use data to support their ideas, and tackle compensation discussions at any career stage. The panel discussions focused on strategies to empower women in insurance, including being visible across different departments, taking risks to get your foot in the door, and the importance of participating in ERGs to build influence and support networks. 🗣️iCAN Connect Lead Bal Mahil told us: "It was a honour to attend this year's summit and have the opportunity to join a panel discussing Strategies to empower women in insurance – Unlocking success to drive your career. On my panel, we shared our experiences and challenges that are inevitable when you're building a career in Insurance concluding that resilience and growth mindset are key pillars that we all had to embrace. The highlight of the conference for me was when Anna Hemmings MBE, OLY delivered the key note speech, just WOW! Anna shared her incredible story of how she achieved 6 times world champion and 2 times Olympian kayaking. Her story along with her 7 step framework for success was anchored in Resilience, High-Performance And The Competitive Edge." We're grateful to have taken away so much from the day, and look forward to applying these learnings to empower the future workforce of the insurance industry! 🔔 Follow iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for more updates and upcoming events. 📌 Become an iCAN member here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd #womenininsurance #careergrowth #networking #DEI #insurance

🚀 One of the final events of the year! Ready to supercharge your career? Join iCAN, QBE Europe, and Liberty Specialty Markets for our Inspire Speed Mentoring Event on Wednesday, 27th November! If you’ve never been to a speed mentoring event, you’re in for a treat! Imagine having the chance to pick the brains of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and consultants - all in one evening. Think of it as speed dating for your career, with quick, focused sessions designed to leave you with actionable insights and fresh perspectives. 💡 Why should you join us? Speed mentoring is fast, fun, and incredibly impactful. Whether you’re navigating challenges, planning your next career move, or just looking for inspiration, this event is about real advice, real connections, and real growth. Past attendees have left feeling energised and empowered - mentors included! Event Details 📅 Date: Wednesday, 27th November ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM GMT 📍 Location: QBE Insurance, 30 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 3BD 🔗 Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/eDPBmuVi Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! This is your chance to gain insights from seasoned professionals, network with like-minded peers, and leave with renewed confidence in your career journey. 🔔 Stay connected with iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for updates on events and opportunities! 📌 Not a member yet? Become one here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd #mentoring #careerboost #connections #DEI #leadership #networking

🍷 A Fantastic Evening at the ABI Annual Dinner! Huge thanks to Hannah Gurga and her team at the Association of British Insurers (ABI) for hosting Team iCAN at their Annual Dinner this week. It was an evening full of inspiration, thought-provoking insights, and brilliant networking with industry peers. Key highlights included: 📔 Hannah’s powerful speech on the insurance industry’s critical role in meeting real-world challenges with action, sustainability, and financial resilience. 📔 The incredible statistic of £100 billion allocated for infrastructure projects through Solvency UK—proof that our industry is driving change for the betterment of people and the planet. 📔 Campaigns like Pension Attention, showcasing how financial awareness can empower individuals and strengthen society. 🗣️ Our Co-Founder and Co-Chair Ajay Mistry ACMA shared: "The ABI Annual Dinner wasn’t just a celebration of our industry—it was a reminder of the responsibility we carry. Hearing from Hannah Gurga inspired us all to think bigger about sustainability, financial literacy, and how collaboration can move us forward. We’re excited about what lies ahead, particularly in developing partnerships like the one between iCAN and the ABI to drive meaningful change across the sector." We also had the opportunity to connect with some amazing individuals, including Lisa Laybourn, Katie Merelie, and Craig Tracey, alongside catching up with old friends. Thank you again, Hannah Gurga, for your incredible leadership and for being a true advocate for progress in our industry. We can’t wait to see what’s next for ABI and iCAN! 🔔 Follow iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for updates on our latest initiatives and upcoming events! 📌 Not a member yet? Join us here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd Sheryl Fernando / Graeme Trudgill FCII, Cert Mgmt / Kishan Mangat #networking #insurance #sustainability #DEI #abi2024

🌟 Reflecting on an incredible night at our London Diwali Celebration! This week, we gathered for our London Festival of Lights Diwali event, hosted by iCAN, Tokio Marine Kiln, BMS Group, and Apollo—and what a night it was! We celebrated the spirit of resilience, renewal, and togetherness, truly embodying the essence of Diwali. Bal Mahil, our iCAN Connect Lead, did a fantastic job moderating the insightful panel discussion, starting by asking each speaker how they personally celebrate Diwali. As Kirat Kaur Nandra MICM (Grad) said, "It’s about togetherness, and it’s never going to change if people at the top aren’t sending that message." Vivek Syal, CUO at TMK shared how discussing his heritage helps break down barriers, allowing others to learn without fear - and how habits of older generations do really impact future generations! Vinay Mistry, CRO at Apollo, spoke passionately about the need for bringing younger generations to events and show them the value of tradition - he also discussed Leicester’s Golden Mile celebration, and how such events strengthen grassroots connections and lift up community voices. The evening continued with traditional dancing, henna art, and vibrant festivities that immersed us all in the beauty of Diwali. We were also proud to support the Diwali Basket Brigade, a community initiative providing food baskets to families in need. It was a reminder that Diwali is not only a time of celebration but also one of giving and supporting those around us. Thank you to all our partners, our amazing speakers, and everyone who attended—this night was truly about building and celebrating community! (And get ready fo rnext year, some big plans are brewing!) 📌 Make sure to follow iCAN: The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network for more updates on our events and initiatives. 🔗 Become an iCAN member here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd Carrie-Anne Adams / Isabel Melton / Elisabeth Ibeson / Louisa Erwin / Sean tibby / Wes Clarke FCIPD #diwali #community #togetherness #diversityandinclusion #icanaction

🚀 Ready to kickstart your career in insurance? The Convex Insurance School Leaver & Graduate Programme is your launchpad to success! ➡️FORWARD THIS TO ANY RELEVANT EARLY CAREERS CONTACTS THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS!⬅️ Whether you’re a recent graduate or a school leaver ready to take the first step into the world of insurance, Convex offers a supportive and dynamic environment where you can unlock your potential - and what a fantastic company to start your career with! 🗣️ Convex shares: "Our programme is built to nurture fresh talent, providing the tools and opportunities needed to succeed. Whether you're starting your journey after school or university, you'll gain invaluable experience and be part of a forward-thinking organisation." 🌟 Here’s why we think you should apply: 1️⃣ Personalised training and support to help you excel in your role and beyond. 2️⃣ Gain experience across different areas of the business, broadening your skills and knowledge. 3️⃣ Be part of a cohort of peers, with access to mentoring, a buddy system, and networking with industry leaders. 💡 What’s in it for you? - Practical skills to set you up for long-term success. - A supportive culture that values your unique perspective. - Personal and professional growth through structured training. 📅 Applications close on: 12th Jan 2025 🗓️ Start date: Sepember 2025 ➡️ Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/edTXmRXk Don’t wait—this is your chance to join a company that values fresh talent and is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Apply now and take the first step in an exciting career with Convex! 📌 Stay tuned to iCAN Apply - The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network Jobs Board Apply for more exciting job opportunities 🔔 Become an iCAN member here: https://bit.ly/3XVjJEd Lillie Ewers / Claire Ladwa / Suzanne Bray #Newrole #insurancecareers #futureleaders #DEI #iCANApply