Women leaders champion 'Give to Gain' in insurance tech

LexisNexis Risk Solutions marked International Women's Day 2026 by highlighting the work and views of women across its UK and Ireland insurance business, focusing on leadership, mentorship and collaboration.

It framed its participation around the International Women's Day theme, 'Give to Gain', and linked it to how teams develop and how individuals progress in areas such as data, analytics and technology.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions supplies data, analytics and technology products to the insurance market. It operates globally and is part of RELX.

In its International Women's Day messaging, it highlighted the role of data and analytics specialists in underwriting and fraud, set against a wider backdrop of regulatory pressure and financial crime affecting insurers and their suppliers.

Leadership focus

Aishling Meyler, AVP Technology, linked the theme to inclusive leadership and knowledge sharing.

"Give to Gain speaks to the power of leadership through generosity by sharing knowledge, creating space for diverse voices and actively supporting women in technology. When we invest in inclusive teams and mentor the next generation, we empower individuals and strengthen innovation across the organisation."

Several contributors pointed to mentoring and career sponsorship as practical steps that can shape recruitment and retention, particularly in roles that still have gender imbalances.

Jemma Ashley, AVP Strategy, described mentorship as a defining feature of her career, and connected individual acts of support with broader cultural change across the sector.

"Mentorship has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career - the gentle nudges, the honest conversations, the people who chose to believe in me. That's why 'Give to Gain' resonates so much. When we lift someone up or open a door for them, we're not just helping them grow - we're shaping a kinder, stronger, more diverse industry for all of us."

Product roles

Product management featured prominently in the perspectives shared, reflecting the intersection of customer requirements, engineering and data-led development within insurance technology suppliers.

Sam Marsh, Director, Product Management, said the theme captured the value of collaboration in product work and the importance of creating opportunities for women to lead.

"After years in product management roles across engineering, data and technology, one lesson stands out: support fuels success. This year's 'Give to Gain' theme reflects exactly how the best products are built - through collaboration, listening and shared ownership. By giving people opportunities to lead with confidence, we not only open doors for more women in technology, but we also gain stronger teams and better outcomes for our customers."

Louise Johnson, Director, Product Management, said she had seen more women taking key and higher-profile roles in insurance. She also emphasised the importance of shared learning and industry-wide idea exchange.

"The insurance industry is always changing, and we are seeing more women in key roles and in high profile positions. Give to Gain is a particularly fitting theme for this year's International Women's Day as it perfectly demonstrates that when women share experiences and give advice, other women gain opportunities to learn and develop. Product development especially thrives when people from across the industry share ideas and experiences. Although the insurance industry still has some way to go in achieving gender parity, it has come so far and I am extremely proud to be part of this industry."

Operations and delivery

Other comments focused on operations and client delivery, where projects and implementation often involve cross-functional teams and customer-facing responsibilities.

Michelle Coyle, Senior Implementation Consultant, said she had benefited from support during her career and described being one of the only women in the room. She linked that experience to mentoring as a way to increase representation over time.

"I've been lucky to have people along the way who took the time to back me, and I don't take that for granted. It can still feel like you're one of the only women in the room sometimes, so for International Women's Day, 'Give to Gain' really hits home - because mentoring and supporting others is how we change that, one person at a time."

Vicky Cook, Senior Director of Operations, said operations teams benefit from shared learning and from environments where staff feel heard and supported.

"Give to Gain is especially meaningful in operations, where progress depends on learning from each other and challenging assumptions. When we create environments where men and women are supported, heard and encouraged to grow, we gain richer insights and more impactful decisions."

Career pathways

Kirsty Dixon, Head of Business Architecture, said the insurance, data and technology markets can feel daunting for women at the start of their careers. She highlighted small interventions such as advice and encouragement.

"The insurance, data and technology markets can be quite daunting places for women starting out, which is why I think Give to Gain should always be promoted at any stage of your career. Women giving just a tiny piece of advice or encouragement to other women can go such a long way! It underlines the value of advice and mentorship from within the insurance sector and encourages women to try for roles that they may feel (wrongly) that they are unqualified for."

Charlie Lane, Corporate Risk Counsel, placed the discussion in the context of longer-term efforts to improve diversity across insurance. She said change requires sustained focus and individual commitment.

"The insurance sector is working hard to improve diversity, but we all know meaningful change takes time - and intention. International Women's Day is a powerful platform to share ideas, spark momentum, and inspire practical steps towards a more gender equal workplace and one that truly embraces equity. To me, Give to Gain is my reminder that progress isn't a solo effort. When each of us commits to championing talent and breaking the glass ceiling, we don't just create opportunities for women - we create a better industry for everyone."