Leading with Pride: Meet the new LGBTQ+ advocates driving change

Sarah Lind and Daniel Vickers have recently been appointed as the new LGBTQ+ co-leads of the Inclusion Network at Markel. To celebrate Pride Month, we spoke to them both about their journey at Markel so far, what inspired them to get involved in the Inclusion Network, and what’s to come for the Inclusion Network’s LGBTQ+ activities and initiatives.

1.    Sarah and Daniel, can you tell us about your journey so far at Markel, and what motivated you to take on the LGBTQ+ leadership roles within the Inclusion Network?

Sarah: I'm lucky to have joined Markel around six months ago, and work in the UK National Market’s Claims team as the Head of Claims Operations.

I wanted to get involved with the Inclusion Network through the LGBTQ+ leadership role to be a visible and friendly face in the business, to share my love of queer culture and media, and to get involved with our partners and encourage engagement and allyship around the business.

Daniel: I’m an analyst in the Actuarial department and have been at Markel since the end of 2022. As a frequent attendee of events organised by Link: LGBTQ+ Insurance Network – I’m an active member of the community and I’m keen to get involved as much as I can.

I was inspired to take on the LGBTQ+ leadership role within Markel’s Inclusion Network as I saw it as an opportunity to make a significant impact. My aim is to not only be involved in the many queer initiatives and events that Markel has in the works, but to also encourage people to start small. This could be through conversations with colleagues on queer issues or simply bringing someone outside the community along to a LGBTQ+ event. As someone who survived three lockdowns of challenging conversations with family, I can attest to the power of open and honest chats with those who are willing to listen!

2.    Sarah, you’re based in the Leeds office, and Daniel, you’re in London – how do you plan to collaborate with each other and the wider community at Markel?

Daniel: Having two co-leads in different locations is a great place for us to start growing the community. I’m looking forward to working with Sarah to not only hold events and initiatives between our two offices, but in locations across International so that colleagues have the opportunity to meet like-minded people and learn from each other.

Sarah: Firstly, I'm excited to collaborate with Daniel. Our roles wouldn't likely cross paths with each other’s, so to start with it's great to get to know one another. I'd like to organise some fun events - this sounds basic, but I often think that fun is the best way to get people engaged and bring people together. We’re still very new to these roles, so I’m looking forward to collaborating with Daniel and the network to formulate plans for the future. This is our first Pride in our new roles, and it’s a great place to start not only for celebrating, but for visibility within the business and kickstarting new conversations with colleagues!

 I know that there can be nerves around saying the wrong thing, but often, well-intentioned, appropriate and open-minded conversation can lead to better understanding, more inclusive language and fewer barriers.

3.    What does Pride month mean to you, and what do you hope our Markel colleagues can take away from this celebratory month?

Daniel: As a confident, gay man, I can sometimes forget the struggles that I went through in the years before I came out. I remember sheepishly attending my first Pride with a close friend at the age of 18 and being terrified – terrified that someone from my school would see me and see a part of myself that I wasn’t ready to share with the world.

My aim is to not only be involved in the many queer initiatives and events that Markel has in the works, but to also encourage people to start small.

Eight years on, I am a loud, proud member of the community who attends three Prides a year (London, Manchester and Chester – my local Pride!). Seeing queer people be so unapologetically themselves at Pride events is exactly what the community needs right now. As an LGBTQ+ co-lead, I’m keen to encourage allies and queer members of the Markel community to feel confident to bring their whole-selves to work. For Pride itself, I hope that any allies and queer members of the community ultimately have fun. This month is a celebration and a time to recognise the people leading their lives with an indelible compassion for others.

Sarah: For me, Pride is about celebrating our community and the variety of people that are within that. When I think back to my school days and compare then to how widespread and mainstream pride is now within the UK, it’s really something worth celebrating in itself. That's not to diminish the challenges that are still prevalent today – certainly, the financial services industry has not always been the easiest place to be in that community, but I like to think that it’s changing and keeps moving forward positively. I also hope that Pride encourages new conversations and learning opportunities. I know that there can be nerves around saying the wrong thing, but often, well-intentioned, appropriate and open-minded conversation can lead to better understanding, more inclusive language and fewer barriers.

4.    What advice would you give to other employees who are looking to get more involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy within the company and the wider insurance industry?

Dan: We’re really excited to have several channels internally where we can share new events and news with our colleagues, so for those who want to be more involved, these communities are a great place to start. For the wider industry, it’s really easy to get involved in LGBTQ+ Insurance Network, Link: LGBTQ+ Insurance Network , by signing up for the mailing list. LINK have a slot in the London Pride Parade this year, so try to grab a spot while you still can. It’s a great way to meet people!

Sarah: There are lots of accessible resources, organisations, charities and events to get involved with in various parts of the world, the first step is just to look for these opportunities. A great place to start is by looking at what Link: LGBTQ+ Insurance Network is doing. Education is also key – learn about what allyship looks like and how you can be an ally, start conversations with colleagues, and reach out to Daniel and myself. We’re looking forward to growing the community at Markel and across the wider industry, and what better time to kick things off than Pride month!

To hear more from Dan and Sarah, watch their video interview.