Women in Health Insurance

Most of the directors in the health insurance industry are men but the Kent and Sussex Courier spoke to Victoria Georgalakis customer service director for Axa PPP Healthcare to see what motivated her to succeed in the industry.

Ms Georgalakis said, 'I was certainly born with a competitive streak and have always preferred to be busy, but am not as career ambitious as many people assume. It is more about doing something interesting and rewarding than a specific desire to be more senior.'

Overall the top positions in British business are still dominated by men but is the medical health insurance business any different? Ms Georgalakis who is 42 with a budget of £25m and a staff of 680 said,

'Although I do not believe sexism exists in AXA PPP that does not mean it is not present elsewhere, plus it is quite possible there are simply a lower proportion of women compared to men who want the boardroom positions.'

As reported by Health Insurance News UK the medical insurance industry as been accused of sexism in the way it underwrites its policies. Women's health insurance for, example, can be more expensive. This difference is justified as women make more claims. The European Commission is intent on changing these laws which will apply to sex discrimination in all types of insurance including car insurance.