8 Bitesize Insights on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion In Practice
On International Women’s day, our Co-founder and CEO Megan Bingham-Walker had the pleasure of chatting to GreenKite’s very own Shân Millie in their first guest Vlog about Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.
Megan has recently been involved in forming a trade association group, Insurtech UK, a group of UK insurtech startups and the largest formal insurtech alliance in the world, and even more recently, has stepped into the role of the group’s first chair of their Diversity, Equality and Inclusion group. Shân talked to Megan to find out more, here’s a summary of the Vlog in 8 bitesize insights.
1.Insurtech UK Community
Insurtech UK is a member-led organisation comprising a group of insurtech companies who come together to share ideas. But Megan explained that it’s more than just a forum to share thinking, they are also a powerful advocacy group that focuses on topics such as public affairs and public policy – it is recognised by all members that their voices are much stronger as a group.
2. New Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DE &I) Committee
In the past few months, a new DE&I subcommittee has been formed. Megan is really excited to lead the group and she views it as a great opportunity to bring learnings from other aspects of the different businesses together and apply them to the issue of diversity within the wider insurtech arena.
3. Common Clear Goals
The DE & I group has three key goals
A pledge or definition of what they are seeking to achieve in terms of diversity as a collective.
To look at and share ideas.
To understand what they can do as a collective to learn and further develop ideas regarding diversity.
4. Diversity Beyond The Boundaries
Megan feels that it’s important to see diversity beyond a question of gender inclusion, or even racial inclusion, but rather to look at the broadest definition of diversity and how as a collective of businesses they can create a pledge to reach a common goal.
5. Pledge, Set, Go!
The collective already has a, soon-to-be agreed, draft pledge which the group will actively start working towards achieving.
6. Giving Back
When asked about how she finds the time to be so actively involved, whilst being CEO and co-founder of Anansi, Megan explains that despite the time constraints that come with co-founding and managing a startup, she believes it’s really important to give back. All the businesses within the group are working to their own time constraints but Megan feels strongly that people need to stand up for what they believe in and to help wherever they can. She sees becoming involved in the group as part of her service to the community and the collective.
7. Steps Lead To Miles
Financial services, technology and fintech have historically been un-diverse industries, and there is much to be done, but Megan believes everything starts with small actions and quotes Lao Tzu’s ‘A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step’. She doesn’t anticipate there to be one magic answer to solve the problems facing diversity in these industries today, but is a firm believer that incremental changes can lead to something much larger in solving the issue.
8. Foundations for Success
Firstly, the path to diversity starts with company values and embedding that belief into the core values of a business. Secondly, thinking about the smallest things you can do to make a change, for example, where are you advertising for roles? How are you screening your candidates? Implementing these small changes can make a big impact towards diversity and inclusion within any business.
To listen to the Vlog in full CLICK HERE.
