When Nick Line first stepped into the Lloyd’s market, one of the things that struck him most was the lack of diversity.
“It wasn’t a very diverse environment back then, either in terms of gender or ethnicity,” recalled Line, chief underwriting officer of Markel International.
Years later, Line has become one of the most visible champions of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the global insurance industry. He told Insurance Business that journey began when he agreed to serve as Markel International’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) sponsor.
“I didn’t fully understand the topic at first, but I knew it felt important,” he said. “Over time, I realised my role as D&I sponsor was deeply connected to my CUO role. To meet the needs of our clients, we need the strongest teams possible, and the strongest teams are made up of diverse perspectives. Diverse thinking challenges norms, opens up talent pipelines, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.”
Later, taking on the role of chair of Inclusion@Lloyd’s gave him a broader platform to push for change. Along the way, mentoring has played a central role in shaping his perspective.
“I’ve mentored through platforms like iCAN and Lloyd’s for years, and it’s always been a two-way experience,” he says. “Hearing people’s stories and understanding the challenges they face entering this market has been eye-opening. These moments have hugely helped to shape my understanding and commitment to inclusion.”
He calls these mentoring experiences his “micro-milestones”: the smaller but deeply meaningful encounters that reinforce why inclusion matters and what it takes to achieve it.
Asked what D&I means to him personally, Line describes it as creating the conditions for people to thrive. “It’s about working with the best people in a non-hierarchical, democratic environment. It’s about having fun, being challenged, and ultimately being successful,” he said.
“I want to help create a workplace where people are happy to come in, do their best work, and reach their full potential, maybe even surprising themselves with what they can achieve.”
One of the most significant lessons Line says he wishes he had learned earlier is the pervasiveness of bias. “It’s easy to operate in a bubble and hire people who are similar to us because it feels easier and ‘safe’,” he reflected. “But that doesn’t always lead to the best outcomes. Diverse teams challenge us, bring new perspectives, and ultimately perform better.”
Line will once again help shine a spotlight on inclusion as the Dive In Festival returns for its eleventh year.
From September 16-18, the global festival will bring together insurance professionals across markets and geographies to explore how belonging fuels business performance, innovation, and resilience. The theme of this year’s festival, “Belonging Builds Tomorrow,” resonates deeply with Line.
“It’s about ensuring that as we widen the talent pipeline and bring in people from non-traditional backgrounds, they feel a genuine sense of belonging in our industry,” he said. “That sense of belonging is what enables people to do their best work, contribute more confidently, and feel valued. It’s what drives performance and innovation.”
For Line, success is not just about attendance numbers but about impact. “We’ve raised more sponsorship this year than ever before, which is great,” he said. “But more important is the quality of the events and the practical tips people walk away with. If attendees leave feeling reassured that our market takes inclusion seriously, and with tools to make positive changes in their own teams, then we’ve done our job.”
Among the standout sessions is the Women in Underwriting event hosted by Markel. “It’s a powerful reminder of the momentum we’ve built, and of the energy and enthusiasm that inclusion can unleash,” Line said.
For Line, the most powerful action any insurance leader can take is getting involved. “Go to a Dive In event. Or better yet, sign up to mentor someone,” he urged. “It’s not just about giving back; it’s about gaining insight and growing as a leader.”
As the industry prepares for Dive In 2025, Line is optimistic. “In today’s climate of unease and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to be reminded of the value of inclusion and belonging,” he said. “It’s what builds tomorrow: for our people, our clients, and our businesses.”
