Lloyd’s, the world’s leading marketplace for insurance and reinsurance, has commissioned award-winning artist, Franklyn Rodgers, to create six portraits of diverse role models which will be displayed in Lloyd’s historic Old Library to celebrate the progress made in creating an inclusive cultural marketplace.
Displayed alongside existing portraits of former Lloyd’s chairpersons, the new artwork will signify the start of multi-award winning Dive In Festival 2023, the global festival celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the insurance industry.
The six role models were chosen to recognise their efforts in championing DE&I in the insurance market and reflect their individual journeys. Shot in and around the Lloyd’s building, in keeping with the historical tradition of portraiture, they include references to their life and achievements.
The project celebrates the significant contributions of these individuals, amongst others, to the creation of inclusive cultures within the Lloyd’s market. The five diversity and inclusion champions are:
· David Flint, the first black broker in the Lloyd’s market and currently CEO of Blue Mountain
· Sheila Cameron, the first female Chief Executive of the Lloyd’s Market Association, and currently in this post
· Rebecca Mason, the first openly trans woman in the Lloyd’s market and currently Senior Wordings’ Manager at MS Amlin
· Rob Anarfi, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion champion and currently Chief Risk Officer at Beazley
· Erik Johnson, co-founder of three Diversity, Equity and Inclusion partner networks and currently the Active Underwriter at MIC Global, and first out gay in that role
· Kirat Kaur Nandra, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion champion and currently Credit Control Manager at Chubb
Mark Lomas, Head of Culture at Lloyd’s, said: “The display of the new portraits allows these diversity champions to take their rightful place in the Lloyd’s collection, representing the market’s recent achievements and progress in diversity, equity and inclusion. An incredible amount of considered and constructive work goes on across our market to champion diversity, equity and inclusion and while we have a way to go yet, we’re proud of the progress that’s been made to improve the culture in our market.
The artist behind the new portraits, Franklyn Rodgers, is a renowned portrait artist and creative director, with works held in the permanent collections of the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Wellcome Collection, Autograph-ABP, Queen Mary University of London, and Arts Council England. He underwent months of research, studying the history and evolution of Lloyd’s as a Corporation and the symbolic Old Library, to land on an appropriate aesthetic which compliments the existing portraits with the gravitas of the Lloyd’s identity, culture, and history.
Commenting on the project, Franklyn Rodgers said: “Being ‘heard’ visually is fundamental to being seen. It was important for me to work in collaboration with the subjects empowering representation of them in their truth.
Getting to know the sitters and the history of Lloyd’s has supported the creation of the portraits that resonate with each of their principles. In being who they are, they inspire others to attain their own success through this dignified bravery and strength, the transformation of a culture that can be more inclusive in valuing everyone.”
The Dive In Festival 2023 closing event on 28 September will allow festival attendees to explore the exhibition in detail and will feature talks from Franklyn Rodgers and portrait subjects.
