6 March 2020

Celebrating International Women's Day

It's International Women's Day on 8 March. and we are proud to acknowledge all the incredible women here at Crombie Lockwood and the invaluable work they do. We asked four of our inspiring women to reflect on what gender equality and working in the insurance industry means to them. Here's what they had to say.

From left: Kate Devereux, Nicola Maddock, Rebecca Watt, Debbie Lowe.

Kate Devereux, Executive People & Culture

For the next generation of women entering the industry - why insurance?

It's a global industry, allows flexibility and is passionately focused on the client. I believe women are innately great networkers and relationship builders.

What motivates or drives your passion for the insurance industry?

Creating greater awareness that the insurance industry is a fantastic career option.

Who is your inspiration or role model? 

My three children are my inspiration – cliché maybe but I am honoured to be able to love and guide them to be the best they can be. If I had to pick a role model it would be Kate Sheppard, for her tenacity and the courage to challenge mindsets. It's been 127 years since women went to the polls for the first time.

What does equality mean to you? And why is achieving equality important to women across the globe looking to face their future with confidence?

That we all believe we can, whilst being true to who we are.  Achieving equality for women is important because it will make the world a better place!​​

Nicola Maddock, Early Talent Manager

For the next generation of women entering the industry - why insurance?

Insurance is a great career choice for any woman entering our industry, there are many specialised areas that you have the opportunity to explore some of which do not have to be solely insurance focussed. Providing the right insurance protection to a customer is at the heart of what we do, taking them on the journey of identifying risks they may not have thought of when it comes to insurance can be very rewarding.

What motivates or drives your passion for the insurance industry?

My passion and drive comes from the desire to grow and develop others in our industry, whether it be learning a system, product knowledge or mentoring. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning and passing down that knowledge to others in our industry.​

Who is your inspiration or role model? 

My absolute inspiration is my team. I know I play a critical part in their growth and insurance knowledge; I teach and inspire where needed and watching them apply that knowledge and succeed gives me a great deal of satisfaction. 

What does equality mean to you? And why is achieving equality important to women across the globe looking to face their future with confidence?

Equality to me means that there is no definitive barrier, gap in remuneration, different or preferential treatment between what a man does at work and a women does at work. Achieving equality globally is going to mean that every single person takes some accountability to ensure that there is no gender gap in remuneration or otherwise. I think globally there has been a strong movement to be more inclusive of women in general, and there have been efforts to close the gender pay gap in wages.  

Rebecca Watt,​ Group Broking Manager, Whanganui & Taranaki

For the next generation of women entering the industry - why insurance?

The industry provides almost limitless ways to utilise an endless array of skills. If your thing is people, they are at the core of what we do. We work in an interesting, challenging, sometimes frustrating, ever changing  and rewarding industry. I started my career 30 years ago not knowing really what I was getting into and have remained fully engaged ever since.​

What motivates or drives your passion for the insurance industry?

The stories we hear and the part we play.  To work with people who are so passionate about their professional craft. We never stop learning.

Who is your inspiration or role model? 

I have a friend who grew up in the worst of circumstances. When she was 15 she made a conscious decision that she would not allow those circumstances to dictate her life outcomes.  She is living proof that you can overcome what happens to you by how you react to it.

What does equality mean to you? And why is achieving equality important to women across the globe looking to face their future with confidence?

I walk into every situation assuming that there is equality – there is a danger in approaching life thinking that things are stacked against you before you find out if they are. My belief is that equity is a more important goal than equality. Having equity means that we are all given the tools we need to be successful. 

For women across the globe who suffer so much for the sole reason of being born a woman I will leave it to Mother Teresa who said it better than I ever could;"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."​​

Debbie Lowe, Executive Marketing & Communication

For the next generation of women entering the industry - why insurance?

It’s an industry that’s ultimately about doing good for clients and looking after clients when things go wrong. I think that aligns with many women’s values. It’s also an industry in NZ that is undergoing change and that makes it a dynamic industry to be a part of.

What motivates or drives your passion for the insurance industry?

I’m personally motivated by our mission statement to ensure clients can financially survive any insurable event. For the discipline of marketing and communications this is fertile ground and I’ve really enjoyed driving the brand and client experience since being at Crombie Lockwood. I feel like I have a lot of scope to keep contributing.

Who is your inspiration or role model? 

I follow a few women like Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Wojcicki, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon. I like taking on different points of view. My role model would be my Nana. She was a trailblazer for her time and she always encouraged me to be the best I could be and never wavered in her support of me. Her pride in me motivated me. My inspiration to do what I do each day is my children.  

What does equality mean to you? And why is achieving equality important to women across the globe looking to face their future with confidence?

Equality for me would be that my daughter who is 12 years old can operate at work where her gender isn’t a factor. That she is judged and succeeds through her outputs, her relationships with her colleagues and her hard work. In my career I have seen changes occur so it’s encouraging. It’s important globally that our women know that something that they can’t change like their gender isn’t a reason to not achieve.​​