DAS shortlisted in three categories at Women In Insurance Awards

DAS UK Group, the country’s leading provider of specialist legal expenses insurance, and its law firm – DAS Law – have been nominated in three categories at this afternoon’s Women in Insurance Awards.

Jay Prosser, who oversees DAS UK’s Partnerships team, has been nominated in the ‘Team Leader of the Year’ category which rewards those who can “…demonstrate excellence in leadership, communication and vision.”

Jay, who was promoted to the role last summer and manages a team of 16, is responsible for the company’s largest P&L, working with major clients such as Covea, NFUM, Zurich and Hiscox. In the past year she has also successfully amalgamated two very different business units – Broker and Corporate – into one high performing team with a clearly defined structure.

Senior Associate Solicitor Hayley Marles from DAS Law has been nominated in the ‘Insurance Lawyer of the Year’ category which is open to any law firm that offers services to the UK general insurance market. Hayley assists businesses and individuals in resolving workplace disputes and is one of the company’s leading ‘thought leaders’ - producing a huge amount of content for the company’s website, the trade media and social media. In particular, she is passionate about cases involving discrimination and inequality, including sex and maternity discrimination in the workplace.

Propositions Manager Alison Whitcombe has been nominated in the ‘Trailblazer’ category which is open to women in any role in the UK general insurance sector who have made a valuable business contribution by inspiring, pioneering or driving through change.

Working with colleagues, Alison created the Spark@DAS women’s network at the end of 2018, aiming to help women achieve their personal and career goals. This represented a transformational change for DAS which had never before had diversity networks.

Today Spark has over 80 active members and a committee of 11. The network’s primary role is to listen to and represent members in order to influence change. Engagement from the top of the company has led to the adoption of a stretch target for DAS UK’s gender split in more senior roles; policy changes; and a cultural shift. Engagement elsewhere in the organisation has created valuable debate regarding issues such as flexible working, and a willingness to learn what diversity, inclusion and belonging really means.

Jay Prosser said: “I really am flattered to have been recognised in this way. My job really is made easier by the fact that I have an amazing team; support is two-way and this is a testament to how we all work together!”

Alison Whitcombe said: “I feel extremely proud to have been shortlisted in the Trailblazer category of the Women in Insurance Awards 2020. I love what I do as Chair of Spark, and being nominated shows how committed DAS are to diversity, inclusion and belonging. I’m excited to use the news I’m a finalist as a platform to spread the word both inside and outside DAS, and inspire women at all levels to believe in themselves and just go for it.”