Overcoming barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion

Dexter is working with Airmic ESG ambassador Glenn Ellis to present the Airmic Conference second day keynote session: Diversity, equity and inclusion – are we on the same page yet?

He is passionate about the subject. Dexter’s formal title is Global Equity Compliance EMEA Lead at Google, and but he also plays a voluntary role as group diversity, equity and inclusion advocate for Google Finance in the region. He got acquainted with Airmic through his role in treasury.

Dexter likes to get people thinking about privilege – the often unacknowledged advantages that come from fitting in with the dominant group, which might be from skin colour, gender, physical ability and wealth or class. “If we want to achieve change, I think it’s important that people understand privilege. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t working hard, but you’ve been given a higher platform to start from. I hope by the end of the session, people will appreciate what that is and how they can use it to increase diversity, equality and inclusion.”

Dexter argues that compliance with regulations and standards on diversity, equality and inclusion is essential but not adequate to achieve these objectives. “It has to be embedded in the culture and that’s hard to measure. It takes time to build. Yes, it is important to tick the boxes, but it can’t end there.”

At the same time, he gives people the benefit of the doubt. People make mistakes. They will sometimes say the wrong things, usually because they don’t understand the challenges that others are facing. “Creating an inclusive environment is not about approving of everyone or making everyone identical. It’s about treating each other with respect and enabling others to be comfortable with their authentic selves.”

Looking at the insurance and risk sector, Dexter says believes an essential element in increasing diversity is to go into schools so that students know more about the variety of careers available. The industry should also aim to provide opportunities and exposure to individuals from groups that have historically been under-represented in the industry.

Airmic ESG ambassador Glenn Ellis said: “In the post-pandemic business world, the pace of change in terms of ESG issues has been unprecedented and, relatively speaking, none more so than diversity, equity and inclusion. It is no longer acceptable for businesses to be cajoled, or spurred, into action by activists, academics and stakeholders.

“As ESG rises up the board’s agenda, it takes diversity, equity and inclusion along with it. Airmic members and partners will already have seen the growth in ESG-related topics in our various publications this year, so we are pleased to include this diversity, equity and inclusion keynote panel at this year’s Airmic Conference.” 

Panel participants:

Chris Lay, CEO, Marsh UK & Ireland

Tenesha Frazier, Global Relationship Leader, Crawford

Kariym Irving, Account Executive, Howden Specialty

Suneeta Padda, Founding Director, Padda Consulting

Soowoo Park, International Risk Analyst, Business Risk & Insurance, Google

Moving Forward Together, Airmic Conference 2022, 6-8 June, ACCL Liverpool. Registration is open.