Q&A with Oversight Board member Liz Buckley

When did you join Hymans Robertson’s Oversight Board?

I've been with the firm just over two years now having joined the Oversight Board in February 2021 when we were all working fully remotely.

Can you explain the role and who you work with?

As an external non-executive, I support the Oversight Board in assessing the firm’s long-term strategy and key aspects of implementation, bringing perspectives from the marketplace and other organisations I have worked with.

What are the best bits about your Hymans role?

The best part is working with such a motivated, capable and dedicated team who are open to debate in pursuit of really important outcomes for clients. I enjoy our discussions and the collegiate nature of the group.

Tell us about your career highlights to date?

Highlights for me have been leading the agile transformation at Direct Line Group where new ways of working energised the teams and led to more customer and delivery focus. Also I loved my time working with different product teams when I was Global Product Director on the Executive Committee for HSBC’s insurance businesses. I had the opportunity to travel for work all round the world and particularly enjoyed my time in Hong Kong.

What are your interests outside of work?

I consider that I have been very lucky in the education that I have had which has benefitted me so positively throughout my career. So it’s important to me to give back. I am Chair of Governors at a London Prep School which was established to be non-selective and include children with special education needs in a mainstream environment. I am also a Trustee at a Multi-Academy Trust which includes an amazing regional special needs school. I have two children aged 12 and 17 who keep me busy for the rest of my time!

Who has been the most influential woman in your life?

My mother has been the most influential woman in my life. She always championed education and learning and advocated to her daughters (and her sons!) to be financially independent.

Who would be your three ideal female dinner guests, dead or alive, and what would they bring to the party?

• Michelle Obama for her perspective on hope and pragmatism from someone who has been a lawyer, a writer, mother, a wife and a household name.

• Adele for down to earth take on the world from a girl who went to senior school local to our home in southwest London.

• Jane Lunnon one of the most eloquent and inspiring headteachers out there on helping our children to live fulfilled lives.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

‘Yes, you can do it and no you can’t have everything’... or in other words have more confidence in yourself and don’t feel guilty that you're not Superwoman (who is after all a fictional character!). 

This year the International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity. What does this mean to you?

It means recognising that we all have different starting points in our lives and careers, and we should look to proactive actions to support colleagues to get to outcomes that are fairer for all.

What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?

When I first qualified as an Actuary in Dublin in the early nineties, the profession was significantly gender imbalanced. That has now completely changed. In addition, the Boards that I sit on as a non-executive are all gender balanced with focus shifting to the pipeline of female talent at all levels as well as promoting other areas of diversity. So, a lot of progress. However, still a lot to achieve on gender balance and broader DEI within Executive and Management layers in FS.

In your view, why do we need more women in leadership?

I believe we need to reflect the populations we serve bringing different points of view and different energies and dynamics. I truly believe that diverse teams deliver better outcomes.