Celebrating iCAN’s 10th Anniversary at Dive In Festival: DEI Debate Sparks Critical Conversations
The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN) recently celebrated a significant milestone, marking its 10th anniversary during the Dive In Festival Year 10 event, hosted at Aon. The evening provided an opportunity for reflection on the progress made in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the insurance industry, while also challenging attendees to engage in thought-provoking discussions about its future.
This year’s event, in partnership with Aon, Markel, Allied World, Chubb, and BMS Group, focused on a crucial debate: “DEI Must/Must Not Die: Are DEI initiatives doing more harm than good?” This central question sparked a lively conversation among panelists and attendees, prompting everyone to critically assess the role of DEI in shaping the modern insurance sector.
Key Discussion Points
The evening’s discussions revolved around several key topics:
1.The Business Case for DEI: Does It Exist?
One of the central debates questioned whether DEI truly drives business success. Is there a clear correlation between DEI efforts and measurable benefits to organisations, or is the push for inclusion merely symbolic? This question invited the audience to evaluate the tangible impact of DEI in their workplaces.
2. The Gender Pay Gap: How Can We Close It Faster?
While strides have been made in addressing the gender pay gap, panellists highlighted the need for stronger government and organisational support to close it more rapidly. The conversation also touched on the role companies play in promoting gender equality and ensuring equal opportunities at all levels.
3. The Myth of Meritocracy: Does DEI Undermine It?
Another significant theme was whether DEI undermines the concept of meritocracy. The debate explored whether focusing on DEI initiatives inadvertently suggests that those who are not in leadership positions—often from minority groups—are not as talented as their majority counterparts. Panellists stressed the importance of recognising talent beyond traditional measures and ensuring DEI creates room for underrepresented individuals without falling into tokenism.
4. The Pitfalls of Tokenism: Avoiding Surface-Level Inclusion
A recurring theme was the danger of tokenism—where individuals are included superficially rather than in meaningful, impactful ways. Attendees were reminded that while DEI initiatives are essential, they must be aligned with organisational strategy and culture to create genuine, lasting change. It was a call to action to focus on building pipelines and succession plans that ensure long-term diversity at senior levels.
Panellists and Debaters
A special thank you goes out to Colleen Cumbers and Benedict Morillo for debating both sides of the topic. It’s important to note that their arguments during the debate were not representative of their own views, but were presented for the purpose of creating a balanced and insightful conversation.
We are also incredibly grateful to our expert panellists, Rukasana Bhaijee, Rob Anarfi, and Dr. Julie Humphreys FCIPD, whose thought-provoking insights added immense value to the discussion. Their perspectives helped bring to light the nuances of DEI and the complexities involved in driving genuine progress within organisations.
Moving Forward
As we reflect on another successful Dive In event, it’s clear that the journey towards true inclusion is far from over. The insurance industry must continue to align DEI efforts with business goals, avoid tokenism, and push for actionable and intentional change. Only by holding ourselves and our leaders accountable can we make meaningful strides toward a more inclusive future.
We look forward to continuing these critical conversations and seeing what next year’s Dive In Festival has in store!
About iCAN
The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN) is a leading organisation committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the insurance sector. Established in 2017, iCAN has been instrumental in spotlighting cultural awareness, fostering talent, and championing diversity within the industry.