This year’s Dive In, the insurance industry’s annual diversity and inclusion festival, kicks off tomorrow with more than 100 events to take place across more than 35 countries.

The 2021 format is a hybrid model for what is the Lloyd’s-backed festival’s seventh consecutive year, and organisers say it is time for attendees to consciously help others be successful under the “active allyship” theme.

Last year, Dive In attracted a record 30,000-plus attendees – almost three times that of previous years, while events in Australia and New Zealand drew more than 2500 over three days.

This year’s festival is focused on empowering people to become “active allies” and take real steps to support underrepresented colleagues.

It begins with a virtual session tomorrow from AIG NZ, Marsh NZ and Wotton + Kearney on “How remote/hybrid working can help and/or harm organisational D&I”.

On Wednesday, Liberty Specialty Markets and Wotton + Kearney will unite to host an Australian event featuring business leaders and how they shaped change through D&I action. The online discussion on will hear from Lion Australia MD James Brindley who will discuss creating change in a male-dominated brewery culture.

“Globally the Liberty team is very focused on realising the benefits that a diverse and inclusive culture can bring, and these topics are currently a significant part of our internal training agenda,” Liberty Specialty Markets Asia Pacific President & MD Mike Abdallah said.

Following are the local details for Dive In 2021:

September 21

• AIG NZ, Marsh NZ and Wotton & Kearney: How remote/hybrid working can help and/or harm organisational D&I, 8am (10am NZST) (Virtual)

• QBE: How cultural background impacts on LGBTIQ and people’s experience of work, 10am (Virtual)

• NIBA and Gilchrist Connell: Nurturing diverse talent and ending discrimination, 11am (9am AWST) (Virtual)

• Steadfast: Using allyship to create change with JJ Ferrari, 12pm (Virtual)

• Lloyd’s and McInnes Wilson Lawyers: Harnessing inclusion: the next step, 4pm (Virtual)

September 22

• Aon: How does active allyship contribute to an inclusive workplace? 10am (Virtual)

• Liberty Specialty Markets and Wotton + Kearney: D&I – intention to action! An interview with business leaders on how they changed their culture, 11am (Virtual)

• Axa XL, Gallagher and Clyde & Co: Mental health in a post-pandemic world, 12pm (Sydney)

• Dual, Kennedy’s: The labels that divide us, 3pm (Virtual)

• Zurich, Sparke Helmore: Showcasing allyship from unlikely places, 4pm (Virtual and in person)

• DLA Piper: Socio-Economic Diversity: How active allyship can help eliminate invisible barriers to career progression, 5.30pm (Invitation Only, Sydney)

September 23

• Chubb: Psychological safety journey (New Zealand), 6.30am (8.30am NZST) (Hybrid/ Auckland)

• AILA breakfast seminar: From #metoo to #wetoo in the law, 8am (ACST) (Virtual)

• AIG, Marsh, DXC: The AI influence: How will technology shape the future ally? 10.30am (Virtual)

• WTW and From the Heart: Be an ally for change: How you can help to create a positive impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 12pm (Virtual)

• Chubb: Psychological safety journey, 1pm, (Sydney)

• DLA Piper NZ, Dual: How active allyship can overcome inclusion barriers, 2pm (4pm NZST) (Auckland)

• Gallagher, Sparke Helmore, NIBA: Active allies: Turning intention into action and hearing from leaders, 4pm (Brisbane)

See the latest event information and register here.