“A powerful precedent for leaders”: CMI’s 2024 Gold Medal Award winner

Leaders who receive CMI’s Gold Medal are at the pinnacle of their career – and embody excellence and innovation in their fields. At CMI’s recent President’s Dinner, we gave the 2024 Gold Medal to Dame Amanda Blanc, group CEO of Aviva, the multinational insurance company. 

Amanda is clearly a worthy winner. Born and raised in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales, she joined Aviva as group chief executive in July 2020, having started her career as a graduate at one of the insurance group’s previous companies, Commercial Union. She then went on to hold a number of senior roles across the industry. 

“I’ve been lucky enough to have worked for some fantastic managers and company boards during my career,” said Amanda, when she reflected on the prize. “This award is testament to their positive influence and support, for which I am hugely grateful.”

A powerful precedent

Amanda has had an immeasurable impact on Aviva. She greatly simplified the company, divesting eight non-core businesses in just 18 months. This year, the company is expected to complete a takeover of its rival, Direct Line, for £3.7bn.

• Read more: Toasting trailblazers and transformation at the CMI President’s Dinner

Amanda’s influence extends far beyond the company too. At the President’s Dinner, Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI, CMI’s chief executive, highlighted how Amanda’s “profound strategic overhaul” of Aviva had set “a powerful precedent for leaders across all sectors” – not least in terms of representation and fairness.

“A trailblazer in every sense, Amanda has fiercely confronted the pervasive challenges of diversity and opportunity within the insurance industry,” Ann said. “Her efforts to tackle these issues head-on underscore our deep-seated commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity.”