The Lloyd’s global diversity and inclusion festival Dive In begins in Sydney next Monday and will run for three days.

The inaugural event was held in London last year, and this year it has been expanded across 10 countries including Australia.

The Sydney program starts with a gender diversity discussion panel hosted by platinum sponsor XL Catlin and co-sponsors Aon and Norton Rose Fulbright.

London-based Chief Regional Officer Insurance at XL Catlin Kelly Lyles will be in town to help with the launch.

“As an industry, although we are quite diverse with regards to acquired diversity (gained through experience), when it comes to inherent diversity, including gender, we can still do more to promote diversity and, by doing so, foster innovation,” she said.

“Innovation is how the insurance industry will stay relevant into the future.

“Not only must our industry champion diversity to attract and retain the best and brightest minds, we must each look for, seize and create opportunities to strengthen diversity and lead the change we want to see in our industry.”

On September 28, Willis Towers Watson will host an event focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex employees, and GSA Insurance Brokers and JLT will hold an event celebrating multiculturalism in Australia.

The following day Dual Australia and Marsh will present a cooking demonstration at QBE Australia’s head office, incorporating discussions about mental health awareness, and to close the festival Lloyd’s Australia will host an expo-style networking function focusing on physical disabilities.

Events are free to everyone working in the insurance industry, but registration is essential.

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