Zurich head of market engagement Peter Hamilton has been appointed as disability and access ambassador for the insurance sector.
Hamilton is taking over from Johnny Timpson who finished his three-year stint as the inaugural insurance industry representative this summer.
He will be representing the insurance sector as one of twelve ambassadors appointed by minister for disabled people, health and work, Justin Tomlinson, to help ensure businesses are doing all they can to support disabled customers and employees.
The roles are voluntary posts, undertaken for a maximum of three years for industry leaders who help to drive improvements in the accessibility and quality of services and facilities in their sector for disabled people, as consumers and employees.
‘Johnny remains a force for good’
Hamilton praised the outgoing Timpson, saying he was delighted and honoured to build on work done by him and others to create a coalition of the willing.
“It’s good to know that Johnny remains a force for good in this space,” Hamilton said.
“As an industry, we have to be ready to listen, to continue to challenge outdated perceptions, acknowledge progress made in some areas but recognise there is still a long way to go.
“We need to be seen as transparent, fair and trusted, where our focus is on doing everything we can to best support our customers and employees with disabilities.”
Hamilton also noted that with a looming post-pandemic ‘reset’ in many parts of society the insurance industry has a big role to play.
“There is a real opportunity to bring even closer together the idea of access to insurance both for potential employees and customers,” he said.
‘Thoroughly welcome the appointment’
Roy McLoughlin, adviser at Cavendish Ware and member of the Protection Distributors Group (PDG) welcomed Hamilton’s appointment and thanked his predecessor.
“Our industry does such an important job but sometimes we feel underrepresented in the corridors of power. It’s vital we have a voice especially post-Covid and equally that voice should have an accurate understanding of all facets of our industry.
“Peter Hamilton completely fits into this mould and arguably has just as great an appreciation of advisers as any of his peers. The PDG thoroughly welcome this appointment and look forward to working with him on many projects.
“Once again we would like to thank Johnny Timpson for all his extraordinary work and support too.”
Four new sectors added
The twelve ambassador posts include four new sectors which have been added to the existing programme supporting the energy industry, hospitality, private housing and universities.
New representatives have also been appointed to cover airports, arts and culture, banking, buses, creative industries, rail travel, and the retail sector, as these tenures ended.
They will join colleagues already representing advertising, the built environment, countryside and heritage, technology and web design.
Minister for disabled people, health and work, Justin Tomlinson said: “I am very excited to welcome this incredible, impressive group of people as new disability and access ambassadors.
“They will help support the existing team with our programme to increase access for disabled people across a wide range of private sector industries, and I am really looking forward to working with them.”