“We must shout louder about UK’s strengths” - Lady Mayor of London

The Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, urged risk professionals and insurers to be “less British” about selling the country’s strengths during a pivotal time in the global geoeconomic landscape.

Talking to Airmic members at its Risk Forum in February, Dame Susan – the first Lord or Lady Mayor with an insurance background – said that the UK and its insurance sector have huge advantages internationally, including talent, timezone, liquidity and strength of economy.

However, as the world order recalibrates it is vital that the country’s depth of knowledge and experience is understood internationally:

“We are not good at shouting about what we are good at,” she said. “The UK is viewed very positively around the world, but we need to be more ‘Tigger’ than ‘Eeyore’ in how we present ourselves. Talking our economy and sector down is a risk in itself.”

By way of example, Dame Susan warned of an “active disinformation campaign” that is rife on social media aiming to disperse a myth of urban decay and out-of-control crime across the UK.

The risks of such negative perceptions are not confined to the online world but eventually permeate all aspects of society and the economy; “ultimately it is an investment risk for the country,” she said.

“Nostalgia is not a strategy”

Dame Susan became Lady Mayor in November last year and believes that, globally, this is “the most pivotal time” of her career: “Things are changing almost on a daily basis.”

She said the current events on the global stage “test the durability of our alliances,” leaving countries and businesses questioning whether trusted friendships and common values will continue to exist in their current forms.

Despite the challenges this presents, the UK and the London Market are well-placed to adapt and thrive, she believes: “Reimagining and reinventing ourselves – this is our strength.”

However, the country must adopt a positive and proactive stance; “Nostalgia is not a strategy,” she warned.

Dame Susan is the third woman to hold the office of Lord Mayor, and the first to take the Lady Mayor title.

She is currently chair of Gallagher UK and the senior independent director for UKAR (Northern Rock asset management and Bradford & Bingley). Among other roles, she was previously CEO of the Financial Services Organisation for DIT and director of market operations for Lloyd’s of London.

Dame Susan is a founding member of the Women’s Business Council and was given an OBE for services to women in business in 2015, before being honoured with a damehood two years ago.