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Marsh leaders shine in Insurance Business Elite Women Awards 2025

Inspiring achievements of Marsh leaders honoured at the IBUK Elite Women Awards 2025, showcasing their commitment to diversity and innovation in insurance.

Marsh leaders shine in Insurance Business Elite Women Awards 2025

The Insurance Business UK (IBUK) Elite Women Awards 2025 has once again spotlighted exceptional female leaders reshaping the insurance industry. Among the distinguished honourees are five outstanding women from Marsh, recognised for their innovation, leadership, and dedication to advancing diversity.

This year’s awards align with the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 theme: ‘Accelerate Action’, calling for swift and decisive steps toward gender equality. With the World Economic Forum estimating it could take until 2158 to reach full gender parity, these leaders exemplify the urgency of driving meaningful change in their industry and beyond.^[1]

IBUK called on regional insurance professionals to nominate outstanding female leaders for the seventh Elite Women list. Nominators were asked to highlight their nominee’s achievements over the past 12 months, providing specific examples of professional accomplishments, industry contributions, and impactful initiatives.

The judges and the IBUK team reviewed all nominations, examining how each individual had made a meaningful contribution to the industry to whittle down the list to the final 75 Elite Women.

Meet the award-winning Marsh leaders

Justine Mayhew – CEO, Bowring Marsh UK & Ireland

A dynamic leader with over 30 years of industry experience, Justine Mayhew was appointed CEO Bowring Marsh UK & Ireland three years ago, the first female in this role. She actively promotes internal change with a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and innovation, creating a vibrant and sought-after workplace. Under her leadership, the business has become more agile at all levels, significantly boosting the representation of women in leadership roles. Justine is a passionate supporter of charity initiatives, expertly balancing her executive role with community engagement and advocacy for working parents.

Justine said: “Building a brighter future for women in insurance demands courage and commitment. By redefining leadership with diversity, prioritising equality, and fostering a collaborative culture, we not only enhance resilience but also create opportunities for talented women to thrive and ensure their voices are heard in senior roles for generations to come."

Beth Thurston – CEO, Risk Management, Marsh Ltd

Beth’s career journey from the legal profession to insurance and risk management is an inspiring example of professional reinvention. As CEO of Marsh’s Risk Management business, she leads with authenticity, positivity, and accessibility, ensuring that the next generation of women in insurance see leadership as an achievable goal. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion, mentorship, and developing talent means that she builds diverse, dynamic leadership teams and makes her a role model for aspiring professionals.

Beth said: “From breaking ground as being the first employee with a flexible working arrangement in my law career, I have been acutely aware that my actions can influence and inspire future generations. I constantly strive to deliver exceptional outcomes, and to encourage and support our talented female colleagues to do likewise. Most importantly, I am passionate about empowering our top talent and fostering a culture where future female leaders in particular have confidence and believe in their own capabilities and in the art of the possible.”

Carolina Klint – Chief Commercial Officer Europe, Marsh McLennan

As a global insurance leader with over 25 years of experience, Carolina has led high-performing teams to tackle some of the world's most complex challenges. As a Marsh McLennan Europe Executive Committee member, she is the official spokesperson for the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report.

Carolina is a sought-after keynote speaker, panellist, and lecturer on risk, resilience, change management, and inclusive leadership. She has been named one of Veckans Affärer’s 125 Most Powerful Women in Business for three consecutive years and was a Business Insurance Women to Watch honoree (2013). A co-author of Words of Wisdom from Women to Watch (2016), she was also awarded GRC Profile of the Year (2022) in Sweden. Carolina is a non-executive director at Anticimex Group AB and sits on the Business Insurance Foundation board.

Carolina said: “I am very grateful for this honour and view it not only as a recognition of my career and accomplishments but a reflection of my fantastic team, inspiring colleagues, and incredible mentors who have stood by me and been part of my journey.

“I am proud to be part of an industry that plays such a vital role in building a more resilient society. The insurance industry is all about trust, keeping promises, and empowering businesses and individuals to pursue their dreams with confidence. I find this very inspiring.”

Sarah Robinson – Program Leader, Agriculture US

In a male-dominated field, Sarah has excelled as a leader in agricultural underwriting. Over her 19-year career, she has advanced from an assistant underwriter to Head of Class, developing new industry networks, mentoring women in insurance, and advocating for diversity in agriculture-related insurance sectors. Her work with rural charities, educational forums, and career advisors has helped raise awareness of the industry’s evolving needs.

Sarah recently changed roles from Head of Underwriting Agriculture to Agriculture Program Leader in Jacksonville, Florida. She is currently establishing an agricultural working group in the US that replicates the success of the UK version.

Sarah said: “I take pride in being part of a company that champions empowerment, diversity, and inclusion. I hope more women feel encouraged to pursue exciting opportunities and have the chance to explore their full potential."

“Being recognised in The Insurance Business UK Elite Women Awards is an incredible honour. I am proud to stand alongside so many inspiring women who are making a difference in the industry."

Selena Kearvell – Regional Sales Director, Marsh Commercial

With a 15-year career spanning banking, pensions, and insurance, Selena has built a reputation as a strong leader in sales and business development. She oversees $8 million in new business growth, supporting 19 offices and a team of over 100 professionals. Selena is also dedicated to mentoring women in insurance, hosting a monthly forum for female entrepreneurs, and actively supporting family-run businesses through her role as an industry judge.

Selena said: “I am honoured to be recognised as an Elite Woman on International Women's Day 2025. This recognition reflects my dedication to continuous self-improvement, enabling me to better support our clients, colleagues, and the communities in which I work.”

Championing women in insurance

The recognition of these five Marsh reflects their dedication, expertise, and impact in the insurance sector. Their mentorship, advocacy, and leadership development efforts continue to inspire a new generation of women in the industry.

About the winners:

Justine Mayhew – CEO, Bowring Marsh UK & Ireland

LinkedIn: https:www.linkedin.com/in/justine-mayhew-63041929/

Justine embarked on her successful insurance career with Marsh in 1995 at the age of 28, when she was presented with a unique opportunity to join the company as a Hebrew speaker to support its expanding Israeli client base. Embracing this challenge, she began her journey in a small Witham office, quickly gaining valuable experience and insight into the industry. By 2001, she had advanced to a trainee broker role in London, showcasing her determination and adaptability.

Today, after almost 30 years with Marsh, Justine leads Bowring Marsh with a wealth of experience, passion, and unwavering dedication. She has made a significant impact as CEO of Bowring Marsh, UK&I, where she has successfully rebalanced the business while maintaining its complexity and profitability. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in her leadership team, fostering a dynamic mix at all levels of seniority. As a working mum, she has also engaged in numerous charity events over the past year, both work-related and community focused. An inspirational leader, Justine excels at bringing out the best in her team while consistently delivering superior results for clients and stakeholders.

Carolina Klint – Chief Commercial Officer Europe, Marsh McLennan

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-klint-2196042/

Carolina joined Marsh in 2017 as CEO of Marsh’s Northwest Europe Region and was then appointed Risk Management Leader for Europe in October 2020. Before joining Marsh, she held several senior positions with AIG, most recently as President of its South Region of the U.S., responsible for AIG’s commercial business in 11 states. Carolina has also held the position of Country CEO of AIG in Sweden and under her leadership, AIG was named Insurance Company of the Year at the 2013 Insurance Awards held by R&F, Sweden’s leading insurance publication.

Beth Thurston – CEO, Risk Management, Marsh Ltd

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-thurston-abb65353/

Beth is CEO of Marsh UK Risk Management Practice, which serves the needs of Marsh’s largest and most complex clients. Beth has overall responsibility for the strategic management and implementation of services and solutions that support these clients in managing their risk and insurance programmes.

Beth has worked at Marsh for 16 years. Her previous roles include CEO of FINPRO UK, Head of Management Liability and Head of Claims Advocacy. Before joining Marsh, she was an ‘Of Counsel’ in a city law firm where she specialised in insurance and reinsurance litigation. She has 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry.

Sarah Robinson – Program Leader, Agriculture US

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-robinson-7a519a115/

Sarah has built a strong career in insurance, specialising in agricultural underwriting and development. She began as a Motor Claims Handler at Ageas in 2002 before transitioning into Insurance Fraud Investigation at The Cotswold Group, where she worked as a Data Analyst and Surveillance Operative.

In 2006, Sarah moved into agricultural underwriting with Direct Line Group, gaining expertise in Farm Combine, Farm Motor, and Agricultural Motor Trade insurance. This led to her role as an Agricultural Development Underwriter at Rural Insurance in 2014.

Sarah joined Victor Insurance UK in 2016 as a Trading and Development Manager, driving business growth. In 2019, she became Head of Underwriting - Agriculture, overseeing risk strategies and business forecasting.

Now, as Program Leader - Agriculture US, a position she took on in February 2025, Sarah applies her extensive experience to the U.S. market, continuing to lead in agricultural insurance and risk management.

Selena Kearvell – Regional Sales Director, Marsh Commercial UK.

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/selena-kearvell/

After earning a Master’s in Business from Leeds University Business School, Selena began her career in banking before moving into the Life, Pensions, and Investment Banking sector. In 2011, she transitioned into General Insurance, joining Marsh as a Business Development Executive in the Schemes and Affinity Team.

In 2013, Selena took on a Client Executive role in the Corporate Team and completed her ACII qualification. Her leadership skills led to a promotion in 2019, where she became Regional Sales Director for the North & Midlands, supporting 19 offices, 95 Client Executives, and 12 Development Executives in achieving their growth targets.

Selena achieved her FCII in 2020 and was recognised for her impact in the industry being shortlisted for the Women in Insurance Trailblazer award in 2022 and Role Model of the Year in 2024. That same year, she was also Highly Commended by Balance CRG for her efforts in supporting women across Marsh McLennan.

Source

^[1] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme

Marsh leaders shine in Insurance Business Elite Women Awards 2025