Dive In 2020 Goes Virtual

Global diversity and inclusion festival to be taken online for the first time featuring myGwork partners Marsh & McLennan Companies and Herbert Smith Freehills.

• The festival for Diversity and Inclusion in insurance expects to increase global participation by taking many events online in the new virtual festival

• Focusing on a theme of ‘Local Voice, Global Impact’ the festival aims to engage local voices around the world to create a global impact on inclusion

Taking place from the 22nd to 24th September 2020, Dive In – the insurance industry’s leading Festival for Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) has been confirmed for its sixth consecutive year. In recognition of new ways of working, the festival will take on a new virtual format with many events around the world being held online. Festival organisers hope the new format will increase participation and reach an even wider global audience.

Increasing year on year since its initial launch in 2015, the 2019 festival saw its highest turnout with 32 countries and over 10,000 attendees taking part in over 130 events. This year, festival attendees can look forward to experiencing a truly global perspective on D&I as events take place in Scandinavia for the first time as well as more countries in Latin America. Increased accessibility, thanks to virtual event formats, will allow participation in events all around the world.

Dive In provides the insurance industry with the opportunity to take decisive actions to improve diversity and inclusion within the workplace covering topics from gender equality to neurodiversity. Particular focus will be given this year to the shared experience of a global lockdown and its impact on diversity and inclusion. The festival will concentrate on the importance of the collaborative action on ‘local voices’ to create a ‘global impact’ on inclusion.

Jason Groves, Chair of the Dive In Committee (and Global Director of Media Relations at Marsh) commented: “This has been an extraordinary year for diversity and inclusion. Employees around the world have found themselves facing new and challenging circumstances that will alter the way we work for the foreseeable future. This has given us a renewed sense of purpose and drive to make this year’s Dive In festival better than ever. Being able to draw on a shared global experience will make this year’s events even more impactful and, we hope, will spur individuals and organisations into action.”

Festival Lead and Global Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Lloyd’s, Marc McKenna-Coles, adds “We are delighted to have been able to take Dive In to the next level by making many of the events virtual this year. For the first time, Dive In will be taking place in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and offices all around the world. It is important that now, more than ever, D&I remains on the agenda and is not left behind. We hope this year’s festival will provide insight and information, but equally some much-needed light relief and something to look forward to after months in lockdown.”

The festival has continued to see unwavering support from within the insurance sector with Global Festival Partners confirmed as: AIG, Aon, Aviva, Axa, Chubb, CNA, DLA Piper, Kennedys, Lloyd’s, Markel, Marsh & Guy Carpenter, MS Amlin, RenaissanceRe, RMS, Travelers, Tokio Marine Kiln and Willis Towers Watson.

Festival tickets will be available from the end of July via www.diveinfestival.com, where you can also find a learning library of D&I content from the previous Dive In festivals.

About Dive In

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.

2019’s Dive In Festival included a broad range of events hosted around the world aimed at driving action and change across the industry. Inaugural events in countries such as Nigeria discussed the importance of empowering women by listening to the journeys of female managing directors. Attendees in Bahrain heard from prominent leaders in the industry on building a more inclusive mindset.

In London, notable guest speakers discussed their own diversity and inclusivity experiences, including a former professional boxer, Frank Bruno MBE, who reflected on his own mental health journey. Reggie Yates and Dame Esther Rantzen DBE also joined a panel to discuss how stories of courage can make an impact.

A video learning library of D&I content from the previous Dive In festivals is available on the website at www.diveinfestival.com.