Dive In Festival 2025 Kicks Off to Champion Culture and Talent in Insurance
In an era where the insurance industry grapples with talent shortages and evolving workplace dynamics, the Dive In Festival 2025 launches today, September 16, igniting a global conversation on fostering inclusive cultures that propel innovation and growth. Billed as the world’s largest event dedicated to diversity and inclusion in insurance, this eleventh annual gathering—under the theme “Belonging Builds Tomorrow”—expects to draw over 40,000 professionals from more than 100 countries. With hybrid sessions spanning six continents and translations in over 60 languages, the festival underscores belonging as the cornerstone for attracting top talent and building resilient businesses, offering a timely blueprint for an industry facing rapid digital transformation and demographic shifts.
Festival Launch: A Global Hybrid Spectacle
The Dive In Festival officially kicks off today, running through September 18, 2025, in a fully hybrid format that blends in-person events with live streams and virtual access via its online portal. Registration, which opened in July and is free, has already seen a surge, building on last year’s record of 45,000 attendees from 81 countries across 133 events in 46 nations. Over 90 sessions are slated, many accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by the Chartered Insurance Institute, allowing participants to earn credits toward professional growth.
Organized by Inclusion@Lloyd’s—a collaboration between Lloyd’s of London, the International Underwriting Association, the London and International Insurance Brokers’ Association, and the Lloyd’s Market Association—the festival originated in 2015 as a London-centric initiative but has evolved into a worldwide movement. Global partners like Accenture, AIG, Aon, AXA, and Lloyd’s, alongside supporters such as BMS, CNA, and Swiss Re, back the event, ensuring broad industry representation.
Highlights include Bermuda’s fireside chat at Chubb headquarters featuring Baroness Helena Morrissey, a renowned diversity advocate, and Fidelis Insurance Group CEO Dan Burrows, sponsored by AIG, Chubb, KPMG, and Sompo. Virtual attendees can join from anywhere, with sessions addressing real-world challenges like hybrid work and inclusive hiring.
Theme in Focus: Belonging as the Driver of Tomorrow’s Success
At its core, “Belonging Builds Tomorrow” spotlights how inclusive environments enable professionals to feel valued, heard, and empowered, directly linking to business outcomes like innovation and talent retention. The program revolves around five pillars: Culture, Leadership, Business Performance, Innovation, and Collaboration, with expert-led discussions sharing actionable strategies.
Sessions will explore topics from psychological safety to diverse hiring practices. For instance, The Clear Company, a local partner, hosts an interactive workshop on inclusive recruitment alongside BMS and Markel. Another panel delves into hybrid workforces, accommodating generational differences in the insurance sector. The festival also launches its #WhereIBelong social media campaign, encouraging participants to share personal stories of inclusion.
Trevor Gandy, global head of inclusion and diversity at AXA XL, emphasized the stakes: “Creating inclusive environments is essential if we’re to attract and retain the talent that builds aspirational, future-ready businesses and high-performing teams.” Wallace Wang, APAC & EMEA diversity director at RGA, added, “Talent and culture shape every aspect of our work—they’re fundamental, not optional. CPD-accredited events at Dive In 2025 offer a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding while advancing professional development.”
Star-Studded Speakers: Voices Shaping Inclusion
The 2025 lineup boasts a diverse array of influencers to inspire and educate. News presenter Maryam Moshiri, former Welsh rugby captain Sam Warburton, inclusion specialist and broadcaster Dr. Shani Dhanda, and TV personality Shaun Wallace headline the roster. Additional speakers include Dr. Samantha Hiew, founder of ADHD Girls and an award-winning communicator, and Lily Zheng, a prominent DEI consultant and author.
Senior leaders from insurance giants and law firms will join, with more announcements pending. These voices will tackle the insurance sector’s societal impact, from mental health and parenthood to LGBTQ+ inclusion and recruitment equity. Vusa Tebe, Howden’s DEI manager, recently noted in Intelligent Insurer how psychological safety fosters positive change, aligning with the festival’s emphasis on actionable insights.
Industry Impact: Fostering Resilience and Innovation
Dive In’s growth—from a 2015 London launch to a global powerhouse—mirrors the insurance industry’s recognition that diversity drives competitiveness. In a field where innovation is key to addressing climate risks and digital disruptions, inclusive cultures are seen as vital for resilience. The festival provides tools, best practices, and year-round resources via its platform, empowering firms to cultivate positive change.
As registrations soar, the event signals a sector-wide commitment. Kelly Magee, head of learning at Acorn Group, highlighted apprenticeships’ role in diversifying workforces, noting her firm’s expansion to 24 apprentices in 2025.
A Catalyst for Lasting Change in Insurance
The Dive In Festival 2025 isn’t just an event—it’s a clarion call for the insurance world to prioritize belonging as a strategic imperative. By connecting diverse talents and ideas, it promises to unlock innovation and growth, ensuring the industry thrives amid uncertainty. As professionals worldwide tune in, the question lingers: Will this momentum translate into sustained action, or remain a fleeting highlight? With tools and inspiration at hand, now’s the time for leaders to dive in and build tomorrow’s inclusive legacy. Join the conversation with #DiveIn2025. (Word count: 512)