Barbara is an independent free thinker, passionate about her purpose to support change in the insurance industry. Barbara set out 40 years ago to better understand the complexities of what culture change takes in a sector that is complacent. She experienced it during 18 years in retail financial services as a business thought leader and first mover. In her 25 years’ operating in executive search for the international insurance markets she challenged normal practices. She spotted the need, over a decade ago, to bring together women leaders in the London Market, later branching out to create an international community of women in insurance and more recently opening a network to aspiring female leaders. Today her focus is on growing ISC Group as the female networking platform for all women in insurance globally, encouraging peer to peer networking by city, country and cross border and then bringing these different peer groups together to close the seniority gap. Women need community to encourage the fortitude and courage to seize opportunities as they are presented rather than wait to be invited. Barbara is a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Insurers, sits on the board and steering committees of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Insuring Women’s Futures (IWF) programme leading Careers In Risk, one of the three pillars of the programme. She is also a board member of Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) as part of the Alzheimer Society, and an advisor to the founding team of ArcQ, a not-for-profit focussing on workplace inclusion of young adults on the autism spectrum and those with learning differences.

Lara joined the insurance sector in 2016 and now works as the Global Managing Director for ISC Group. Lara manages ISC Group and advises on development and strategy globally. Prior to joining the insurance industry, Lara worked in the business development and marketing team for a start up in the Property sector. Lara is passionate about culture change and the impact it can bring to organisations. Lara holds a BSc (Hons) Geographical Sciences from The University of Bristol.

Genevieve joined ISC Group in 2019 and has a background in marketing and event production. Genevieve puts together the online programming schedule as well as managing the marketing strategy with a particular focus on communications. As she originated from outside the Insurance industry, Genevieve is keen to encourage cross-industry collaboration to effect culture change. Genevieve has a BA (Hons) in French and Spanish from the University of Bristol.

Kandi is responsible for creating and delivering global marketing and social media campaigns, as well as conducting general event management. Kandi finished her master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in Philosophy and Public Policy, and is passionate about women empowerment and gender equality.

Evie has joined the ISC Group as our PR and Communications Manager and is the go to for all public relations and targeted media campaigns. Through strategic comms and ongoing media relations, Evie is also helping to promote ISC Group’s memberships, offerings and news in key industry publications. Evie holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism from the University of Chester and is a PR Consultant focusing on brand strategy, creating content and organic brand partnerships.

Barbara is an independent free thinker, passionate about her purpose to support change in the insurance industry. Barbara set out 40 years ago to better understand the complexities of what culture change takes in a sector that is complacent. She experienced it during 18 years in retail financial services as a business thought leader and first mover. In her 25 years’ operating in executive search for the international insurance markets she challenged normal practices. She spotted the need, over a decade ago, to bring together women leaders in the London Market, later branching out to create an international community of women in insurance and more recently opening a network to aspiring female leaders. Today her focus is on growing ISC Group as the female networking platform for all women in insurance globally, encouraging peer to peer networking by city, country and cross border and then bringing these different peer groups together to close the seniority gap. Women need community to encourage the fortitude and courage to seize opportunities as they are presented rather than wait to be invited. Barbara is a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Insurers, sits on the board and steering committees of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Insuring Women’s Futures (IWF) programme leading Careers In Risk, one of the three pillars of the programme. She is also a board member of Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) as part of the Alzheimer Society, and an advisor to the founding team of ArcQ, a not-for-profit focussing on workplace inclusion of young adults on the autism spectrum and those with learning differences.

HW Kaufman Financial Group Senior Vice President and Burns & Wilcox Canada, Managing Director

Cathy Lewis is a Non- Executive Director and Remco Chair for The Ardonagh Group, Atlanta Segment. Cathy has worked in the life and savings sector for many years, holding the position of Executive Director HR and Corporate Services for Prudential UK & Europe. Until recently she was Group HR Director for RSA plc. Cathy was the Group Reward Director for Abbey plc at the time of the Santander take over. She also spent a year seconded into the civil service, joining the Board of HMRC as part of an initiative of change and skills transformation in the civil service. Cathy graduated in 1985 and later secured a Masters Degree in Human Resources.