PSB Diversity Action Group Biographies

This was followed from 1992 by various roles in Risk & Compliance, the last three analysing and advising on developments in regulatory policy before moving, in February 2011, to Aviva UK Life Protection Marketing function. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Industrial Technology & Management at Bradford University, and an MCMI. Additionally, she holds an FCII, Chartered status, and FPFS, all at the CII.

Liz has been involved with the CII at local, regional and national levels since 1997, serving as a Local Institute president twice, as Chairs of the Regional North East Group, on National Council (2003 –2009), Management Committee (2006 -2007), and she sat on the CII Board in 2007-2009. In July 2011 she took up the role of the Chair of the Diversity Action Group, reporting to the Professional Standards Board.

After two years she transferred to commercial broking where she has remained ever since. She has worked for both national and provincial brokers, including a number of years in The City. She attained her ACII in 1991 and Chartered Status in 2007. She currently works for Continuum Insurance Brokers in Hertford as their Principal Broker.

and locally in the provision of services as the Group Head of Diversity at Genesis Housing Group, which is one of London’s top 15 Housing Associations.

Throughout her career, Julie has gained experience in devising and evaluating strategic plans; and implementing best practice within the field of diversity.

Julie is currently employed by the Olympic Delivery Authority where she leads on integration and capability within equality.

She began her career with Royal Sun Alliance where she held a number of senior underwriting positions. She left to follow her passion in the claims field with Aviva.

She then joined the NHS Litigation Authority focussing on the development of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and has more recently joined Marketform as Medical Malpractice Claims Manager. She is a Chartered Insurer and member of another CII sponsored project in conjunction with CASS Business school, examining new emerging innovation issues for organisations.

A joint venture between QBE and the well diversified Rajan Raheja Group. Praveen has three decades of industry experience in diverse markets like India; Thailand; Hong Kong and U.K.

Praveen is a Fellow of Chartered Insurance Institute and Insurance Institute of India. He has a Diploma in Direct Marketing (IDM, UK) and is an MA from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. He is a recipient of D. Subramaniam and SK Desai Memorial Awards by Insurance Institute of India. He is also a recipient of a special prize from the Geneva Association and the Group Study Exchange Award by Rotary International.

Praveen regularly writes (on diverse subjects) and speaks at prestigious national and international forums. He championed the cause of Indian insurance industry liberalization from the very early days. He was also very closely associated with India’s oldest business forum - Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI); till recently he was the Chairman of the General Insurance Committee.

praveen.gupta@rahejaqbe.com

having worked within local government for a number of years providing both inclusive services and offering strategic advice for the organisation.

Siraz previously was an elected member and was vice chair of the equalities committee.

More recently, Siraz has assisted organisations to develop more inclusive services and improve their equality and diversity practices.

During this time he completed his professional examinations, gaining Associateship in 2001 from the Chartered Insurance Institute.

The following year Matthew moved to work at Beazley Furlong Limited (Syndicate 623) as a Business Analyst, before joining ACE Global Markets (Syndicate 2488) in 2002. After briefly working within the actuarial department Matthew transferred to the underwriting side of the company, and for 6 years was responsible for the underwriting and management of the aviation reinsurance account.

In July 2009 Matthew set up his own company, Praxes Limited, offering consultancy services to companies involved in the insurance and reinsurance of specialty lines.

Matthew has an MA from Jesus College, Cambridge University, in law and economics, and a Diploma in Actuarial Science from Cass Business School, City University, London.

Bhavika has previously assisted companies to analyse the changing dynamics of the UK workforce, this involved facilitating workshops on various challenging areas of discrimination thus assisting the business to take a firm stand on the subject.

A keen traveller she loves experiencing different cultures and her current role at FlightCentre (UK) Ltd allows her to fuel this passion. Over the years, Bhavika has gained an exceptional understanding of people’s religious beliefs and cultures. She hopes to use this knowledge to help promote diversification in the CII.

Bhavika, is dedicated to her profession and is currently working towards her Chartered Financial Planner accreditation. She believes that a solid professional education is vital to demonstrate commitment to your profession and this combined with utmost integrity and strong ethics are what it takes to be a true Financial Planner.

She then moved to work for an insurance broker and subsequently joined a former colleague to set up a financial advice practice, acting as paraplanner and office manager. Following the untimely death of her colleague and business partner, Dawn then stepped up to the role of financial adviser.

In 2009 Dawn moved into the arena of work-based learning, delivering training and teaching for CII and other professional examinations, mostly through apprenticeship frameworks. She subsequently completed her assessor, verifier and Certificate in Education qualifications. She has recently begun work for Kaplan, leading this major training provider into the world of insurance and financial services.

Dawn brings her skills in education, together with a wide experience of diversity issues through work as a magistrate and other community involvement to the panel. She is married with 2 adult children and outside of work enjoys dog walking, music and theatre, together with time (occasionally) just to be at home.

Viki moved into the public sector to focus on delivering support to disabled students and graduates throughout their job search alongside working with organisations to create and implement workplace diversity initiatives. Working initially in a disability charity, Viki now works within the LSE Careers service offering specialised services to disabled students, alongside her general work, and manages relationships with a range of graduate recruiters within Insurance. Viki sits on the LSE staff diversity committee and previously sat on the Diversity and Equal Opportunities Group at The Careers Group, University of London.