This Sunday, March 8th, marks International Women's Day. At Waddle, we don't just celebrate women once a year - we live those values every day. With over 50% of our management roles held by women, our commitment to equity is more than a policy; it's our culture.
The IWD 2026 theme is "Give to Gain," encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration. In that spirit, we want to give credit to the incredible women driving Waddle forward and recognise their massive impact on the protection industry.
Hosted by Cover Magazine in association with the Women in Protection Network, these awards are the industry's premier celebration of female excellence. To be an Award Alumnus is to stand among industry powerhouses and household-name insurers.
This year, from over a thousand entries, we are incredibly proud that four women of Waddle were shortlisted as finalists for their brilliance.
As our Head of Administration, Andrea is the definition of resilient leadership. Since 2020, she has transformed her department under pressure, ensuring her team doesn't just work, but thrives. Andrea leads with a "big punch" and an even bigger heart, proving that true excellence is found in elevating others and safeguarding every client.
Lilly's journey from a 17-year-old apprentice to our Assistant Administration Manager is nothing short of inspiring. A powerhouse in both claims and admin in less than 3 years, she has evolved into a confident leader who now designs training pathways for the next generation. Lilly proves that age is no barrier when you combine an unstoppable work ethic with genuine empathy.
Rising from Paraplanner to Head of HR within only 7 years, Becca is the beating heart of Waddle. Her true legacy is the compassionate culture she has built, particularly for our working parents. By championing flexibility and psychological safety, she ensures that motherhood is never a barrier to a thriving career. Becca leads with a vision that puts people first, every single day.
Mia is our architect of joy and equity. Since 2023, she has rapidly ascended to HR Assistant Manager, implementing initiatives like "Happiness Week" and unbiased recruitment processes. Even while on sabbatical in Australia, Mia's influence remains a driving force for our DEI goals, ensuring every voice at Waddle is heard and celebrated.
We also want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate five other women of Waddle who were shortlisted.
Aimee Bowditch & Nicola Smith - Advisor of the Year
Naomi Jeffs - Woman of the Year (Claims)
Charlotte Irvine - Unsung Hero (Intermediary)
Paige Cockayne - Mentor of the Year
It feels incredibly special to receive this news as we approach International Women's Day. The finalist announcements highlight Waddle's commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace and the outstanding contributions of its female colleagues. This achievement is especially resonant as the world marks International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women
Becca Clayson, HR Manager at Waddle.
To celebrate these achievements and the IWD "Give to Gain" spirit, we are hosting a special lunch for all our female staff, complete with goody bags to say thank you for everything they do.
On April 30th, all nine of our nominees will be heading to the ceremony in Central London to celebrate our four finalists! We wish Andrea, Lilly, Becca, and Mia the very best of luck at the awards ceremony in London this April!
To our clients and partners: thank you for being part of our journey. We're proud to work alongside you to set higher standards in the protection industry. To those looking to join us in the future: we're committed to building a space where your voice is heard and your growth is guaranteed. The "Give to Gain" mindset is what makes our community so strong, and we're excited to keep that momentum going together.
From winning multiple industry awards - including Protection Review Intermediary of the Year - to supporting a record number of successful client claims, it’s been a year defined by growth, recognition, and keeping our promises when clients needed us most.
Graham came to us for a second opinion on his protection. We uncovered a 17-year-old policy with unbeatable cover - one worth holding onto. Two years later, after a stroke, that legacy policy paid out £75,000 when he needed it most. The right advice. At the right time. For all the right reasons.
Winning Excellence in Customer Service, with Naomi Jeffs highly commended for Intermediary of the Year, and three additional shortlistings, the awards highlight Waddle’s commitment to clear advice, outstanding client care, and raising standards across protection.
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