RETURN TO OFFICES MUST BE 'VERY CAREFUL' TO ADDRESS INCLUSION: NEAL

Lloyd's chief executive John Neal said the insurance market must be "very careful" in considering inclusion as people return to the office after the pandemic. Speaking on a panel discussion on the opening day of the 2021 Dive In festival, Neal said it was "important" to return to the office but it was vital that it was done so "thoughtfully" and consider the needs of all employees. “Even then as we go through the process of returning to the office, it’s important to realise we’re social beings, we need interactions and to meet people, so I think it’s important to return to the office but to do so thoughtfully," Neal said. "We’re going to have to be very, very careful when we talk about inclusion for the people who have been most affected [by the pandemic], such as ethnic minorities and working mothers, when we talk about flexibility.” As many insurance companies start to return to the office in the wake of lockdown, Neal said he is “genuinely worried at this moment”, as lockdown has taken its toll on everyone in many different ways.