We've been catching up with some of our visitors to last week's Congress, and wanted to share their reflections with you.

Here's what Donna Wayman, of Zurich Legacy Solutions, had to say....

Tell us a little about you, your role for your firm, and how long you’ve been a member of IRLA:

I have over 15 years’ experience in change and transformation working with Zurich and 18 months ago I joined ZLS as Chief Operating Officer responsible for change, data and people activity across the organisation.  It was at that point I became a member of IRLA and attended my first congress last year.

This is your second time at Congress. What were you hoping to experience, and how did it live up to that?  

Last year I was very new to the industry and still learning the ropes, I spent much of my time in meetings to get to know the key players and make some personal connections. 

This year I wanted to soak up all the knowledge from the main conference sessions and deepen my legacy industry experience, alongside reconnecting socially with the contacts I have made over the year at various IRLA events.  

It totally met my expectations, I loved the variety of topics and speakers alongside the breakouts and the round the world evening social gave me a great chance to meet old and new connections.

Let’s talk specifically about talent within and across our sector. What were your takeaway thoughts in that respect?  

I think we have a great amount of talent and experience in the sector.  For me the term ‘legacy’ sounds quite old and uninteresting when in fact the types of business we look after is anything but boring. 

I think to attract talent we really need to promote why it is such an interesting industry and the vast array of experience people can get working across different lines and portfolios.

I also attended the Women in Legacy breakout and am excited about some of the actions IRLA took away to support the continued drive for diversity across the sector.

And how about the world of innovation and being at the heart of problem solving in the sector?

I think as the insurance industry evolves and the challenges they face move on the need for innovative solutions to problem books of business will continue to grow.  

It is one of the things that should attract new people to the industry and also requires us to continue with increasing the diversity of thought in our teams to make sure we have the right skills and inputs to think about new ways to solve new problems.

What role or contribution did you specifically make at the event?

I was thankful to be invited to present in a breakout focused on dealing with grief and trauma, both in the context of the difficult claims content some of us deal with on a day to day basis but also personal trauma from bereavement or baby loss.  

As a Trustee for baby loss charity for Aching Arms it was also an opportunity to promote companies to think about how they provide compassionate and timely bereavement care after the loss of a baby.

Anyone you want to give a particular shout to?
I was super impressed by the YPG and Future Leaders who chaired the sessions, they were so professional and  did an excellent job.

Presumably we’ll see you back at Congress again in 2025?

Wouldn’t miss it!