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Dame Amanda Blanc: “Leadership is a privilege – and it takes practice”

Written by Katie Jacobs Tuesday 23 June 2026

Aviva’s group CEO was in the Leadership Lounge with Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI. Here are five insights she shared

Dame Amanda Blanc DBE and Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI

In 2020, Dame Amanda Blanc DBE was given a job opportunity she couldn’t pass up. Having joined the board of insurance company Aviva as a non-executive director, she was asked to apply for the role of group CEO. What made it even more compelling was the fact Amanda had started her career at one of Aviva’s predecessor companies (Commercial Union) as a graduate trainee decades before. It was like coming home.

Aviva has transformed under Amanda’s leadership, successfully divesting eight non-core businesses and improving its financial position and performance across core markets in the UK, Ireland and Canada.

Born and raised in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales, Amanda has cemented her place as one of the UK’s most influential business leaders. In 2023, she was named Sunday Times Business Person of the Year. So, who better to join CMI chief executive Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI for an insightful and unfiltered discussion about what she’s learned through her career as part of CMI’s Leadership Lounge series? Here are five things we learned…

1. Always take the opportunities

While Amanda was working at Commercial Union as a graduate trainee, one of her leaders saw something in her that “perhaps I didn’t even see in myself”, promoting her to become the company’s first female and youngest ever (at 29) branch manager. Grabbing that opportunity was the first leadership step in her illustrious career.

“Always take the opportunities and learn from them,” she advised. “You don’t know until you try.”

But if you take an opportunity and it doesn’t work out, don’t be afraid to leave. Amanda shared that she had done this a couple of times in her career, when a role wasn’t the right fit.

“If you’re not happy doing something, then don’t do it,” she said. “You spend a lot of time working. It is important you enjoy it: then you’ll be your best you, and everybody around you will benefit.”

More insights from the Leadership Lounge

2. Lead authentically, but be adaptable

“Authentic” is how Amanda describes her leadership style. “It’s hard to be someone you’re not,” she said. “Be the person that you are – you won’t have to pretend or remember who you were last week.”

But authenticity doesn’t mean you can’t adapt. Amanda explained the importance of situational leadership, flexing your leadership style depending on the context. A site visit is of course very different to a board meeting.

“When I’m doing a site visit, it’s low key: sitting on people’s desks and listening,” she explained. “In a boardroom, you have to respond differently. You’re in charge and in control.” What matters is that, underneath, your values and integrity remain unchanged.

Keep reading – three more insights

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