That affects the way Zurich recruits, and what it asks from its recruiters, which in turn is “changing the landscape”.
Blanc checks out
However, there was one issue that Zurich at group level appeared to fall down on, which was the employment of Amanda Blanc, seen as a trailblazer for women at senior levels in insurance. She joined Zurich in October 2018 as chief executive, EMEA, but left after eight months.
Ms Timms says: “I don’t think there’s anything in Amanda’s departure to suggest it was anything to do with it being a D&I issue.
“Some people have reflected on that. Amanda, for whatever reason made the decision not to stay at Zurich.
“Do I think people reflected on that or worry about that because we were doing so much, because we were absolutely on top of this topic, and able to demonstrate what we were doing?
“The interventions and the nudges and the focus of the leadership team has made all the difference, and I don’t think Amanda’s [departure] was anything to do with that.”
Ms Timms’ background is in public affairs, so she is used to dealing with government and Whitehall on the policy side.
She has been with Zurich for 21 years, and another part of her responsibility is tackling the company’s sustainability policy, both at UK and EMEA regional level. Here the company, both at group and UK level, has taken a bold move and started engaging with businesses that it underwrites or invests in, by focusing on those relying for 30 per cent or more of their energy from oil or coal.
“We have said we will help you have a conversation on how to broaden that energy source [for two years] and after that we won’t be able to underwrite or invest in your business.
“For a large commercial insurer that’s significant.”
Perhaps it is not surprising that the same person is tackling two sensitive but important areas that both require a deep-seated change.
Ms Timms is optimistic. She says: “I do really feel a sense of change, and it does feel really genuine.
“There’s this genuine collaboration at the industry level. It’s not a topic where it’s competitive, so you can work together to put in place solutions, and that’s been important.”
Melanie Tringham is features editor at Financial Adviser and FTAdviser
