Amanda Blanc

Blanc was born and brought up in Treherbert, Rhondda, Wales. She attended Treorchy Comprehensive School. Both her grandfathers were miners. She studied Modern History at the University of Liverpool and later graduated from the University of Leeds with an MBA, and Chartered Insurer (ACII).{{Cite news |last=Lynch |first=Interviews by Andrew |title=How we made it (thanks to an MBA): Amanda Blanc of AXA UK, John McFarlane of Barclays and Linda Jackson of Citroën |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/how-we-made-it-thanks-to-an-mba-amanda-blanc-of-axa-uk-john-mcfarlane-of-barclays-and-linda-jackson-of-citroen-lq5vptqf6 |access-date=2022-09-12 |issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite web |last= |date=19 September 2017 |title=Alumna featured in Sunday Times article |url=https://business.leeds.ac.uk/alumni/news/article/243/alumna-featured-in-sunday-times-article |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=business.leeds.ac.uk}}

After graduating, she obtained a graduate role with Commercial Union (which later became part of Aviva) in Luton. Blanc went on to become a fleet and casualty underwriter, then an area development manager and the youngest and first woman to work as a Commercial Union branch manager. She left Commercial Union in 1999 for EY and soon after joined Axa for the first time as Regional Director.{{Cite web|date=1 July 2004|title=Starting with a clean slate|url=https://www.insuranceage.co.uk/node/1198361|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Insurance Age}} In December 2003, she joined Groupama, in the newly created role of distribution and customer services director. In 2006, she moved to Towergate Insurance, where she had responsibility for the retail broking division, and in 2010 she was promoted to deputy CEO.{{Cite web|last=Stobbart|first=George|date=14 December 2009|title=Towergate appoints Amanda Blanc as Deputy Group CEO|url=http://www.newsinsurances.co.uk/towergate-appoints-amanda-blanc-as-deputy-group-ceo/016911157|access-date=30 June 2020|website=News Insurances|language=en-US}}

Blanc joined Axa in February 2011 to lead the commercial division, at a time when it was rumoured that the UK business was to be put up for sale by its French parent company. The business survived and was later held up by Axa Group as a best practice example.{{Cite web|date=2019-12-03|title=Amanda Blanc lands Aviva role|url=https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/news/amanda-blanc-lands-aviva-role/1432073.article|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Insurance Times}} At this time, Blanc received the Insurance Times 'CEOs CEO of the Year' award twice in three years (2013 and 2015).{{Cite web|last=Newsdesk|date=2014-07-16|title=Amanda Blanc on being the Insurer CEO's CEO of the Year|url=https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/amanda-blanc-on-being-the-insurer-ceos-ceo-of-the-year/1409164.article|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Insurance Times}} In 2015 she was given responsibility for the entire General Insurance division for Axa in UK & Ireland and then a year later became Group CEO AXA UK, PPP & Ireland.{{Cite web|title=AXA|date=January 2025 |url=https://www.axa.co.uk/newsroom/media-releases/2016/axa-uk-leadership-changes/}}

Blanc was announced as CEO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Zurich in April 2018.{{Cite web|date=5 April 2018|title=Amanda Blanc a "big loss to Axa and unbelievable gain for Zurich"|url=https://www.insuranceage.co.uk/node/3343011|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Insurance Age}} A little over a year later she had resigned.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zurich.com/en/media/news-releases/2019/2019-0702-01|access-date=30 June 2020|website=www.zurich.com|title=Amanda Blanc resigns as CEO EMEA of Zurich}} Blanc did not comment on the reasons why but “personality clashes”{{Cite web|last=Gangcuangco|first=Terry|title=Zurich's Amanda Blanc in shock resignation|url=https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/breaking-news/zurichs-amanda-blanc-in-shock-resignation-171667.aspx|access-date=30 June 2020|website=www.insurancebusinessmag.com}}{{Cite news |date=2019-07-07 |title='Personality clash' behind departure of top female Zurich executive |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9e95e8bc-a095-11e9-974c-ad1c6ab5efd1 |access-date=2022-09-12}} between her and Group CEO Mario Greco were cited by sources.{{Cite web|date=2019-07-05|title=Briefing: So why DID Amanda Blanc leave Zurich?|url=https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/analysis/briefing-so-why-did-amanda-blanc-leave-zurich/1430840.article|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Insurance Times}} She was required to step down as chair of the ABI as protocol dictates that only a sitting insurance CEO can hold the role.{{Cite web|date=3 July 2019|title=Amanda Blanc leaves Zurich and steps down as ABI chair|url=https://www.covermagazine.co.uk/news/3078387/amanda-blanc-leaves-zurich-steps-abi-chair|access-date=30 June 2020|website=www.covermagazine.co.uk}}

After leaving Zurich, Blanc started in seven non-executive roles: three InsurTec startups – Laka,{{Cite web|date=7 January 2020|title=Kicking Off 2020 with a Bang: Laka Welcomes Amanda Blanc to Board of Directors|url=https://laka.co/gb/blog/all/laka-welcomes-amanda-blanc/|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Laka – Read the Latest Stories About Cycling & Insurance}} Trov{{Cite web|title=Blog|url=https://www.trov.com/blog/welcome-amanda-blanc-senior-advisor|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Trōv Insurance Solutions}} and RightIndem,{{Cite web|title=RightIndem appoints Amanda Blanc as Chair of Board of Directors|url=https://www.symvancapital.com/single-post/2020/01/07/RightIndem-appoints-Amanda-Blanc-as-Chair-of-Board-of-Directors|access-date=30 June 2020|website=symvan-capital-1709|date=8 January 2020}} OSG,{{Cite web|last=GmbH|first=finanzen net|title=OSG Announces Executive Leadership and Board Member Transitions|url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/osg-announces-executive-leadership-and-board-member-transitions-1029193154|access-date=30 June 2020|website=markets.businessinsider.com|language=en-us}} Aviva PLC,{{Cite web|date=12 February 2020|title=In Person: Amanda Blanc|url=https://www.insuranceage.co.uk/node/4437061|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Insurance Age}} Chair of specialist Lloyd's of London motor insurer ERS,{{Cite web|title=Amanda Blanc to become Chair of ERS|url=https://www.ers.com/news/2019/amanda-blanc-to-become-chair-of-ers|access-date=30 June 2020|website=ERS Insurance|language=en-US}} and chair of the Welsh Professional Rugby Board, a voluntary position.{{Cite journal|last=O'Dwyer|first=Michael|date=7 July 2020|title=Blanc Slate: New Aviva Chief Enters the Battle to Keep Insurer Relevant|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=8Q2161338889&site=ehost-live|journal=Daily Telegraph|url-access=subscription|via=EBSCOhost}}

Blanc was the first woman to chair the ABI,{{Cite web|title=Amanda Blanc, CEO Europe, Middle East & Africa and Global Banking, Zurich and ABI Chair ABI|url=https://www.abi.org.uk/events/2019/4/autonomous-vehicles/amanda-blanc-ceo-europe-middle-east--africa-and-global-banking-zurich-and-abi-chair/|access-date=30 June 2020|website=www.abi.org.uk}} and was previously chair of the ABI General Insurance committee. She was the first woman to chair the Insurance Fraud Bureau and served as president of the Chartered Insurance Institute. In April 2020 Blanc was asked by the Government to lead a review into the 2019 floods.{{Cite web|title=Flood insurance review 2020: Blanc review|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-insurance-review-2020-blanc-review|access-date=30 June 2020|website=GOV.UK}} The report was published in November 2020.{{Cite news|date=5 November 2020|title=South Yorkshire flood review calls for better insurance support|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-54811585|access-date=5 November 2020}}

On 17 March 2021, Blanc was appointed HM Treasury's Women in Finance Champion, succeeding Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia. As part of the role, she was tasked with promoting the UK government's Women in Finance Charter, which aimed to boost gender diversity across UK financial services.{{Cite web |title=Amanda Blanc appointed Women in Finance Champion |url=https://businessandfinance.com/news/amanda-blanc-appointed-women-in-finance-champion/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Business & Finance}}{{Cite web |title=Amanda Blanc appointed Women in Finance Champion as Charter marks fifth year |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/amanda-blanc-appointed-women-in-finance-champion-as-charter-marks-fifth-year |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=GOV.UK}}

On 11 November 2021, Blanc joined the Geneva Association as a new board member, one of only two women on the board of directors of the insurance industry think tank.{{Cite web |date=2016-10-11 |title=Board of Directors |url=https://www.genevaassociation.org/about-us/board-of-directors |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Geneva Association}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-16 |title=Aviva CEO joins The Geneva Association board |url=https://www.insuranceage.co.uk/node/7898351 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Insurance Age}}{{Cite web |last=Gangcuangco |first=Terry |title=Swiss Re chief becomes The Geneva Association chair |url=https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/breaking-news/swiss-re-chief-becomes-the-geneva-association-chair-316628.aspx |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=insurancebusinessmag.com}}

In February 2022, she was appointed to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's new Business Council, advising the government on matters such as recovery from COVID-19 and unlocking global investment.{{Cite web |title=PM assembles new cohort of business leaders to turbocharge UK economy |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-assembles-new-cohort-of-business-leaders-to-turbocharge-uk-economy |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=GOV.UK |date=February 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Boris Johnson strives for gender equality with new line-up of business advisors |url=https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnson-strives-for-gender-equality-with-new-line-up-of-business-advisors-12528235 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Sky News}}{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Jon |date=2 February 2022 |title=Top bosses join Prime Minister Boris Johnson's new Business Council |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/top-bosses-iceland-rolls-royce-22954837 |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Business Live}} On 25 April 2022, she was announced as co-chair of the UK Transition Plan Taskforce to develop the "gold standard" for UK firms’ climate transition plans.{{Cite web |last=headforwards |date=25 April 2022 |title=HM Treasury Launches UK Transition Plan Taskforce |url=https://transitiontaskforce.net/hm-treasury-launches-uk-transition-plan-taskforce/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=Transition Taskforce}}{{Cite web |first1=Sara |last1=Feijao |first2=Vanessa |last2=Havard-Williams |first3=Rachel |last3=Barrett |first4=Aileen |last4=Buchanan |first5=Lucy |last5=Fergusson |first6=Wilma |last6=Rix |title=UK government launches new taskforce to develop best practice for UK climate transition plans |url=https://sustainablefutures.linklaters.com/post/102hnba/uk-government-launches-new-taskforce-to-develop-best-practice-for-uk-climate-tran |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=Passle |date=26 April 2022}}{{Cite web |date=25 April 2022 |title=Amanda Blanc to co-chair Treasury's climate transition plan taskforce |url=https://www.insuranceage.co.uk/node/7946666 |access-date=21 July 2022|website=Insurance Age}}

On 1 September 2022, Amanda joined the board of energy company BP as a non-executive director,{{Cite web |date=2 August 2022 |title=Aviva chief Amanda Blanc joins BP as non-executive director |url=https://www.cityam.com/aviva-chief-amanda-blanc-joins-bp-as-non-executive-director/ |access-date=12 September 2022|website=CityAM}}{{Cite web |date=2 August 2022|title=Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc joins BP as non-executive director |url=https://www.investmentweek.co.uk/news/4054193/aviva-ceo-amanda-blanc-joins-bps-board-executive-director |access-date=12 September 2022 |website=Investment Week}}{{Cite web |last=Gangcuangco |first=Terry |title=Aviva chief Amanda Blanc to join BP board |url=https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/energy/aviva-chief-amanda-blanc-to-join-bp-board-415389.aspx |access-date=12 September 2022|website=insurancebusinessmag.com}} and in April 2024 was appointed senior independent director at BP plc and is also a member of the BP plc Remuneration Committee and People and Governance Committee.{{Cite web |title=BP names Aviva boss Amanda Blanc as next senior independent director |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9cca509f-6188-4be3-9de3-8c157beb837b |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.ft.com|date=8 March 2024 |last1=Wilson |first1=Tom }}{{Cite news |last=Mawardi |first=Adam |date=2024-03-08 |title=BP makes Amanda Blanc senior independent director in wake of Looney misconduct scandal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/03/08/bp-make-amanda-blanc-senior-independent-director-scandal/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |title=BP board - Dame Amanda Blanc |url=https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/who-we-are/board-and-executive-management/the-board/amanda-blanc.html |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=BP.com}}

Speaking at a House of Commons Treasury Select Committee inquiry in December 2023, in the context of a discussion about senior role hiring, Blanc said “There is no non-diverse hire at Aviva without it being signed off by me and the chief people officer, not because I do not trust my team, but because I want to make sure that the process followed for that recruitment has been diverse, has been properly done, and is not just a phone call to a mate to say, ‘Would you like a job? Pop up and we will fix it up for you’.”{{Cite web |title=Oral evidence: Sexism in the City, HC 240 |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/14007/html/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=House of Commons Treasury Committee}}

In December 2024, Elon Musk publicly labelled ‘people like Blanc’ as racist, in response to comments she had made a year prior regarding the recruitment of ‘non-diverse’ candidates at Aviva. https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1869071093711159416

Blanc was named Woman of Achievement in 2008 by Women in the City.{{Cite web |title=Women in the City - Woman of Achievement Award |url=https://www.citywomen.co.uk/awards-programme/woman-of-achievement-award/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=WalesOnline |date=2008-12-04 |title=Treherbert-born Amanda Blanc wins the 2008 Woman of Achievement award |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/treherbert-born-amanda-blanc-wins-2008-2132751 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=WalesOnline}} The award recognises senior level women who actively promote and encourage the progress of women above and beyond their everyday job.

Blanc was also featured in Yahoo! Finance's 2019 HERoes Women Role Model Executives list{{Cite web |title=2019 Top 100 Women Executives – INvolve Heroes |url=https://heroes.involverolemodels.org/poll/2019-top-100-women-executives/ |access-date=2022-08-17}}{{Cite web |title=The HERoes Top 100 Role Model Women Executives 2019 |url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/the-he-roes-top-100-women-executives-2019-230151567.html |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=uk.finance.yahoo.com |date=11 September 2019}} due to her efforts to drive gender equality in the workplace, and in Forbes' 2021 and 2023 Power Women list,{{Cite web |title=Amanda Blanc |url=https://www.forbes.com/nft-profile/amanda-blanc/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Forbes}}{{Cite web |last=Sands |first=Katie |date=2021-12-15 |title=Welsh woman named in Forbes power list above the Queen and Oprah Winfrey |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/amanda-blanc-wru-forbes-rugby-22469280 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=WalesOnline}}{{Cite web |last=Gangcuangco |first=Terry |title=Amanda Blanc joins Queen, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey on most powerful women list |url=https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/breaking-news/amanda-blanc-joins-queen-kamala-harris-oprah-winfrey-on-most-powerful-women-list-319932.aspx |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.insurancebusinessmag.com}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=The World's Most Powerful Women 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/power-women/ |access-date= |website=Forbes}} which showcases the world's 100 most influential women.

In 2022, she was named Insurance Personality of the Year at The British Insurance Awards{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title=Zurich, Amanda Blanc and Vicky Carter among big winners at the 2022 British Insurance Awards |url=https://www.postonline.co.uk/node/7949591 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Insurance Post}}{{Cite web |title=2022 Winners |url=http://www.insuranceawards.com/2022-winners |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=The British Insurance Awards}} and was recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Finance by Financial News.{{Cite web |title=FN100 Women in Finance 2022 {{!}} Financial News |url=http://www.fnlondon.com/lists/fn100-women-in-finance-2022 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.fnlondon.com}} She has also been named in the Financial Times' 25 most influential women of 2022.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-01 |title=The FT's 25 most influential women of 2022 |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8428d275-a9ba-46e7-9c39-78b847c5cef7 |access-date=2022-12-01}} The Sunday Times chose Amanda as their business person of the year in January 2023.{{Cite web |last=Treanor |first=Jill |date=2024-06-21 |title=Aviva boss Amanda Blanc is The Sunday Times business person of the year |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/aviva-boss-amanda-blanc-is-the-sunday-times-business-person-of-the-year-trg9vvxtg |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The Times}}

Blanc was ranked 33rd on Fortune's list of Most Powerful Women in 2023.{{Cite web |title=Most Powerful Women |url=https://fortune.com/ranking/most-powerful-women/ |access-date= |website=Fortune}}

She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to business, gender equality and net-zero.{{London Gazette|issue=64269|supp=y|page=N9|date=30 December 2023}}

Blanc is married with two daughters. She is an accomplished piano player and when growing up her ambition was to be a professional musician.

Blanc was a guest on the long running BBC Radio 4 series Desert Island Discs, hosted by Lauren Laverne in March 2023. She also represents Aviva as WWF's lead strategic partner in the insurance and pensions sector in both the UK and Canada.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Aviva chief Amanda Blanc to sit alongside Sir David Attenborough as ambassador for WWF |url=https://www.cityam.com/aviva-chief-amanda-blanc-to-sit-alongside-sir-david-attenborough-as-ambassador-for-wwf/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=CityAM}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-15 |title=Working with Aviva to act on climate change {{!}} WWF |url=https://www.wwf.org.uk/who-we-are/who-we-work-with/aviva |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.wwf.org.uk}}

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Category:1967 births

Category:Aviva people

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of the University of Leeds

Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool

Category:British chief executives

Category:Welsh chief executives

Category:People from Treherbert

Category:Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire