AXA's Amanda Ferguson named Gender Equality Champion

Amanda Ferguson was named Gender Equality Champion at the Diversity & Inclusion in Insurance Awards last night for her achievements as the chair of AXA UK’s Gender Equality Employee Resource Group (ERG).

Ferguson, who works as Senior Procurement Manager, has instilled passion and energy into the Gender Equality ERG, which she has chaired on a voluntary basis.

Membership of the group has increased 44% since the beginning of the year, as the events it has organised have raised interest across AXA UK, from new starters to board level. Many employees have attended speed mentoring sessions and many others have participated in panel discussions or more intimate lunches. The topics discussed ranged from increasing confidence in careers to flexible working, mental health and role modelling for both men and women.

AXA UK’s Chief of Staff Amber Wilkinson praised “Amanda’s enthusiasm, expertise and outstanding leadership”.

“Amanda has facilitated real change in AXA,” added Waseem Malik, Executive Managing Director for Claims, referring to “new ideas coming through for better ways of working”.

Ferguson joined AXA in 2007. She manages a small team that looks after business services and property. She became a member of the Gender Equality ERG in 2016 and took on the role of chair the following year.

“I feel so honoured to have been recognised, initially by my colleagues for the nomination and last night by the insurance industry with this award,” she said. “It was encouraging to see so many worthy nominees being championed across many organisations. As an industry, we are definitely making progress, even if there is always more to do, but with such passionate supporters, I feel confident the good work already being seen will continue to grow.”

Authored by AXA