ISC Group announces winners of the 2026 Women’s Excellence Awards

London, 23 September 2026 – ISC Group has announced the winners of the 2026 Women’s Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding individuals and organisations driving the advancement of women and creating meaningful change across the insurance industry. 

The winners were revealed at a black-tie awards ceremony at Plaisterers’ Hall in London, bringing together leaders and professionals from across the insurance sector to celebrate excellence, leadership, innovation, and impact. 

The 2026 Awards recognised achievements across 18 Individual and Business Award categories, celebrating both the people championing women across the industry and the organisations turning commitment into action through initiatives that support women’s development, progression, leadership and wellbeing. 

Carmen Powell, CEO of ISC Group, said: 

“Tonight is about celebrating truly exceptional women, incredible allies, and organisations that are making a real difference across our industry. Congratulations to all our winners and highly commended for the commitment, leadership and action you are bringing to advancing women across insurance.” 

2026 Individual Award winners 

Career Returner Excellence Award, sponsored by SCOR 

Winner: Louisa Pointon, Amwins Global Risks 

Highly Commended: Megan Bengston, AXA XL 

Industry Ally for Women Award, sponsored by Royal London 

Winner: Sean McGovern, AXA XL 

Highly Commended: Natalie Dick from Mosaic Insurance 

International Impact Award, sponsored by Guidewire 

Winner: Rebekah Ratliff, JAMS 

Highly Commended: Yanna Winter, Generali 

Mentorship Excellence Award, sponsored by S&P Global Ratings 

Winner: Jill Lankin, Zurich Insurance 

Highly Commended: Lorene Phillips, Clarendon Wallace 

Most Impactful Member of a Gender ERG, sponsored by Davies 

Winner: Lisa McDonald, Guidewire Software 

Highly Commended: Clair Dennis, Royal London 

Outstanding Leadership Award, sponsored by ODGERS 

Winner: Joanne Jones, PartnerRe 

Highly Commended: Claire Williams, Royal London 

Pioneering Talent Award, sponsored by The Fidelis Partnership 

Winner: Paulina Herrington, SCOR 

Highly Commended: Shannon Dolan, Alchemy Technology Services 

Womens Liaison & Champion Award, sponsored by Pool Re 

Winner: Susie Logan, Royal London 

Highly Commended: Jane Holmes, NTT DATA 

The Schonhofer Special Recognition Award by QBE 

Winner: Claire McDonald, SCOR 

2026 Business Award winners 

Culture & Belonging Award, sponsored by AXA XL 

Winner: Burns & Wilcox 

Highly Commended: Royal London 

Early Careers Excellence Award, sponsored by AIG 

Winner: Amwins Global Risks 

Highly Commended: Barclays 

Gender Leadership Initiative Award, sponsored by NTT DATA 

Winner: Swiss Re 

Highly Commended: AIG 

Intergenerational Collaboration Award, sponsored by Swiss Re 

Winner: QBE Europe 

Highly Commended: Marsh 

International Excellence Award, sponsored by Burns & Wilcox Global Solutions 

Winner: Marsh Risk 

Highly Commended: Beazley 

Leadership Pipeline Development Award, sponsored by Beazley 

Winner: NTT DATA 

Highly Commended: Marsh 

Parental Leave Innovation Award, sponsored by Marsh 

Winner: Swiss Re 

Highly Commended: Guidewire Software 

Women’s Advancement & Sponsorship Award, sponsored by Amwins Global Risk 

Winner: Davies Group 

Highly Commended: Canopius Group 

Women’s Wellbeing Excellence Award, sponsored by Barclays 

Winner: Marsh 

Highly Commended: We Are Eden 

The Awards highlight the breadth of work being undertaken across the insurance industry to support women, from early-career development and mentoring through to leadership progression, sponsorship, wellbeing and parental leave. 

ISC Group thanked its independent judging panel of senior industry leaders for contributing their time, expertise and industry experience to the judging process,  

Thank you to KPMG for your commitment as a Gold Sponsor and our five Silver Sponsors: Ascot Group, Beazley, Guidewire, Marsh, QBE, as well as the Awards sponsors and everyone who entered and attended the 2026 ceremony.