Over 50% in the London market say male-dominated leadership is reducing the female underwriting pipeline

Over half the respondents in a London market survey (52%) have cited a ”male-dominated leadership environment, leading to a lack of inclusivity’” as the primary root cause of the decreasing female talent in underwriting pipeline. 

The snapshot survey was conducted by the Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA), which asked 128 female underwriters, chief executives and chief underwriting officers to learn about the barriers to achieving senior underwriting roles.

The survey also revealed that 42% of respondents raised challenges with work-life balance, given requirements for in-office presence and demanding travel and social expectations. 

Meanwhile, the financial burden of caring costs, both of children and parents, was raised by 27% of respondents. 

Sheila Cameron, chief executive at the LMA, said: “The themes from the survey respondents show that the decline in our female underwriting pipeline reflects intertwined structural and cultural barriers.

“A male-dominated leadership environment has embedded norms that undervalue flexibility and reward visibility or long hours.

”While flexible working and return-to-work programmes exist, they often lack the cultural backing needed to ensure equal access to advancement. Men face similar pressures, often avoiding full paternity leave for fear of career impact.

”Together, these dynamics undermine inclusivity and weaken the sustainability of our talent pipeline.”

’A collective call to action’

As a result, the LMA and Lloyd’s today (24 November 2025) held the first ever Underwriting Talent Summit. 

The summit was organised around the theme Ring the Bell and set out to increase the pipeline of female underwriters in the market overall.

It was attended by 175 chief executives, chief underwriting officers and senior female underwriters from managing agents.

Rachel Turk, chief of markets performance at Lloyd’s, said: “As leaders, we have a responsibility to take bold, decisive action to embed inclusivity into every aspect of our practices.

”This is not optional – it’s a collective call to action. This conference was designed to celebrate the remarkable women who hold senior underwriting positions today and to recognize organisations that are setting the standard for retaining female talent at the top.

”Yet, we cannot ignore a stark reality –  the pipeline of senior women in underwriting is shrinking. Without urgent and sustained action, this challenge will only deepen in the years ahead.”