Share

Insurance Covered
Diversity & Inclusion in the insurance industry (With Marc McKenna-Coles)
Welcome to Insurance Covered! The podcast that looks at the inner workings of the insurance industry with the help of expert guests. Our guest this week is Marc McKenna-Coles, Global Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Lloyd's, and we will be discussing diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry.
We start by discussing Marc's pathway into insurance, which is one of the more circuitous routes. Marc started as a store manager at Disney, before moving to the Disney Cruise side of the business as 'Merchitainment Manager'. In 2019 Marc made the switch to Lloyd's to work on their global I&D initiatives. Marc explains the jump isn't as different as it may seem, his roles have always been customer focused and that is very much the same with the work he does at Lloyd's.
We then go on to discuss what we mean by Diversity & Inclusion, Marc explains it's making the workplace (for employers and customers) a welcoming environment regardless of features, characteristics and beliefs. "It's ensuring we have a nice spread of people from all different backgrounds… by having a fully inclusive workforce brings out the best in people, creating an environment where everyone can flourish which is obviously to the advantage of the company as well". Marc goes on to discuss his role at Lloyd's: "So my role is split between both the corporation and the market so I'm very much trying to bring that diverse and inclusive mindset and lens into the corporation how we can be attractive to a more diverse range of people".
Marc goes on to showcase some of the tools he has been developing, that are readily available to anyone even outside of the insurance industry. He has developed reports around ethnic minorities and ethnic diversity in the workplace, last year he helped produce a report on trans and non-binary inclusion as well as a report on family care policies, so the work they do is far reaching and all available here.
We go on to discuss one of the biggest I&D initiatives set up by Lloyd's, the Dive In festival. Dive In is a global movement in the insurance sector to support the development of inclusive workplace cultures. Its mission is to enable people to achieve their potential by raising awareness of the business case and promoting positive action for diversity in all its forms. This means looking beyond traditional definitions of diversity to level the playing field for talent comprehensively including gender, gender identity, age, cultural background, sexual orientation, social mobility, faith, caring responsibilities, mental health and physical impairments. 2020's Dive involved 35 countries, we ran 144 events across the globe, and had over 30,000 individuals participate across those 144 events.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Covered, if you did please consider subscribing.
More episodes
View all episodes

25. A look at captive insurance (With Caroline Wagstaff)
30:42||Season 6, Ep. 25Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.In this conversation, Peter Mansfield and Caroline Wagstaff discuss the concept of captive insurance, its benefits, and the current efforts to establish a captive insurance market in London. Caroline shares insights on the regulatory landscape, the historical context of captives, and the potential for growth in the UK market. They also touch on government support and the importance of creating a competitive environment for captives in London.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.
24. A look at Fine Art & Specie Insurance (With Joshila Sharma)
36:33||Season 6, Ep. 24Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.In this episode, Peter Mansfield interviews Joshila Sharma, a specialist in Fine Art and Specie Insurance. They explore the broad definitions of fine art and specie, the unique items covered under these insurance policies, and the intersection with cargo insurance. Joshila shares her experiences in the industry, including the most expensive items she has insured and the challenges posed by natural disasters. She also discusses her motivation for starting Amalthea Underwriting and her passion for marine conservation.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.
23. Life as an insurance CEO (With Mark Wheeler)
38:09||Season 6, Ep. 23Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.In this episode, Peter Mansfield interviews Mark Wheeler, co-CEO of Mosaic Insurance, discussing his journey from underwriter to CEO, the challenges and joys of leadership in the insurance industry, and the impact of geopolitical risks and technological advancements like AI and climate change on the sector. Mark emphasises the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and maintaining a strong company culture while navigating the complexities of the insurance landscape.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.
22. Women in insurance (With Sandra Lewin)
40:26||Season 6, Ep. 22Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.In this episode, Peter Mansfield interviews Sandra Lewin, Founder of 100 Women in Insurance. They discuss Sandra's journey into the insurance industry, her motivations for advocating for women, and the importance of celebrating female talent. The conversation covers statistics on women in the insurance market, the challenges they face, and the role of men in achieving gender equality. Sandra shares insights on the retention of female talent and the impact of societal structures on women's careers. The episode concludes with advice for both men and women in the industry.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.
21. A look at a Lloyd's Managing Agent (With Lorraine Harfitt)
36:07||Season 6, Ep. 21Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.In this episode, Peter Mansfield interviews Lorraine Harfitt, CEO of Asta, to explore the role of Lloyd's Managing Agents. Lorraine shares her journey in the insurance industry, the structure of Lloyd's, and the responsibilities of managing agents. The conversation delves into the differences between managing agents and members agents, the history of managing agents, and the regulatory framework governing them. Lorraine also discusses the future of Asta and the Lloyd's market, highlighting opportunities for young professionals in the insurance sector.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.
20. Insurance-linked Securities, Catastrophe Bonds and the convergence of the insurance and capital markets (With Steve Evans)
35:46||Season 6, Ep. 20Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.In this episode, Peter Mansfield dives into the intricate world of insurance-linked securities and catastrophe bonds with expert Steve Evans. They explore the convergence of insurance and capital markets, discussing how these financial instruments provide protection against major natural disasters. Steve shares insights on the growth of the ILS market, the benefits for insurers and investors, and the future potential of these innovative financial products. Whether you're new to the topic or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of a niche yet rapidly expanding market. Tune in to learn how these securities are shaping the future of risk management.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.
19. The Great Fire of London and the birth of fire insurance (With Howard Benge)
40:55||Season 6, Ep. 19Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.In this episode, Peter Mansfield is joined by Howard Benge, Director at the Insurance Museum, and they delve into the Great Fire of London, exploring its origins, the conditions leading up to it, and its devastating impact on the city and its inhabitants. They discuss the historical context of London in 1665, the construction methods of the time, and the inadequate fire management practices that contributed to the disaster. Eyewitness accounts provide a vivid picture of the chaos and destruction, while the conversation also touches on the aftermath and the birth of fire insurance as a response to such catastrophic events. This conversation explores the historical significance of the Great Fire of London, its impact on the city, and the subsequent development of fire insurance. The discussion highlights the rapid recovery of London post-fire, the innovative contributions of Nicholas Barbon in establishing fire insurance, and the evolution of insurance companies in response to changing risks. The long-term legacy of these developments is examined, showcasing how the Great Fire shaped modern insurance practices and fire prevention methods.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.keywordsGreat Fire of London, fire insurance, history, urban development, eyewitness accounts, London history, heritage consulting, insurance museum, 1666, urban fire management, Great Fire of London, fire insurance, Nicholas Barbon, rebuilding London, historical context, insurance history, fire prevention, insurance companies, legacy of insurance, London history
18. What can poker teach us about insurance? (With Nick Wealthall)
44:12||Season 6, Ep. 18Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this engaging conversation, Peter Mansfield and Nick Wealthall explore the intriguing parallels between poker and the insurance industry. They discuss how the skills learned in poker, such as emotional control, decision-making under pressure, and understanding human psychology, can be applied to underwriting and claims handling. Nick shares his unique journey from a professional poker player to a consultant, emphasising the importance of trust, experience, and the ability to navigate incomplete information.We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.
17. Why we hate filling in online forms (and how insurers can improve them) (With Alun Lucas)
25:18||Season 6, Ep. 17Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that explores all things insurance. In this episode, Peter is joined by Alun Lucas to talk about online forms: why they often frustrate us, and more importantly, how they can be improved. We discuss why so many organisations, including insurers, rely on online forms to gather information, and how this process can be made better for both the organisation and the user. Finally, we play a round of Family Formtunes, a game highlighting the form questions most likely to make people abandon the process altogether. We hope you enjoyed this episode, if you did please subscribe to be notified when new episodes release.