A new forum has been launched in Sydney for women working in the life insurance industry.

Called Women in Life Discussion (WILD), it has been formed by Mills Oakley Partner Lisa-Marie McKechnie.

“I have been working in the life industry for about 12 years and thought it would be good to have a forum where key people could discuss topical issues,” she told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“It transpired the key people I wanted to invite were all women and that’s where the name came from.”

The first lunch was held last week, with the inaugural speaker being Investments, Life Insurance & Superannuation Ombudsman Alison Maynard.

“She spoke about the rising number of complaints from people who have bought funeral plans,” Ms McKechnie said.

“I didn’t know there had been a rise in complaints, and that is what the forum aims to do – inform people and encourage discussion using Chatham House rules.”

Ms McKechnie says the forum will not become a lobbying group and it will have a limited membership of about 15. The could also be extended to Melbourne.

“The group will probably meet quarterly and future topics will depend on what the members want to talk about,” she said.