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In Allianz, our purpose is not just about providing peace of mind and financial security for our customers when things go wrong. 'We secure your future' also means that sustainability in all its forms is a priority across our business.

We believe that prioritising both sustainability and inclusivity will aid us in achieving our objectives in growth and value creation. And at the same time, contribute to a more sustainable future for the communities in which we live and work. Our ambition is to move from being a responsible company in our own right to leading in the financial services industry and beyond.

To achieve it, we focus on three core pillars:

• Tackling climate change - anticipating the risks of a changing climate, protecting vulnerable people and targeting investments and engagement to drive a low carbon future
• Integrating ESG - leading in our industry for how we consider environment, social and governance (ESG) issues in our insurance, investments and asset management
• Societal impact - using our role as an employer, insurer, investor and corporate citizen to contribute to more inclusive and stronger societies.

Diversity & Inclusion

While sustainability encompasses every aspect of our business, from reducing our carbon footprint to having sustainable procurement policies in place, in 2021 we have placed a huge emphasis on our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We want to shape and promote an inclusive culture across our business, and believe that valuing the differences of our employees is an essential part of our corporate success and competitiveness. As part of reaching this goal, the implementation of our local diversity and inclusion strategy has been a key priority for our Board and all our management team.

In Association with

Over the first half of this year, we have made significant steps towards bringing this strategy to life across our workplace. From signing the Business in the Community Ireland Elevate Pledge alongside 45 other Irish companies, pledging to do our part in creating an inclusive workforce that is representative of Irish society today, to becoming a global member of the Valuable 500 which aims to improve the experience and employment of people with disabilities worldwide, we are well and truly on our way to making this strategic goal a reality.

Fair Work Culture

As the head of a large workforce, I am also extremely proud that we are working to eliminate any potential equal pay gaps by end of 2021. We have also continued our commitment to inclusivity through engaging with AHEAD, a network that works to create inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities. Allianz has doubled our intake of graduate placements this year, having engaged with the programme for the first time in 2020.

With six individual areas of focus in our overall diversity and inclusion strategy, a lot has been done, but there is always more to do. As a business leader, I believe that this is one of the keys to a successful, thriving workplace and a fair work culture long term. I would urge other leaders to view a drive for diversity and inclusiveness in the same light. It’s not just a social obligation, but a huge opportunity for any company, so that we don’t talk about what people can’t do but about what we can do together.

Photo: Sean McGrath (Pic: Robbie Reynolds)