- Plans afoot to scale up the model by setting up similar branches across other key cities
Kochi, March 6, 2025: Future Generali India Insurance Company (FGII) is delighted to announce the inauguration of its first all-women’s branch in Kochi, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to empowering women in the workforce and enhancing customer service through gender inclusivity.
The branch, located on the 5th Floor of Pulikkal Estate, M.G. Road, Kochi, was inaugurated by Mr. Anup Rau, MD & CEO of Future Generali India Insurance, in the presence of senior leadership including Ms. Ruchika Varma, Chief Marketing, Customer and Impact Officer; Mr. Ramit Goyal, Chief Distribution Officer; Mr. Akshay Kashyap, Chief People and Organization Officer; Officer; Ms Ritu Sethi, Chief Internal Audit Officer; Mr Ashish Lakhtakia, General Counsel, Chief Regulatory Affairs & Company Secretary. The event marks a key achievement in the company’s long-term vision of fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment while providing top-tier insurance solutions to its customers cutting across various sections of society.
‘Shakti’, as the name suggests, symbolizes strength, resilience, and empowerment and the branch resonates the company’s commitment to fostering an environment where women lead with confidence and drive meaningful impact in the financial services sector.
Located in the heart of Kochi, the pioneering branch will be powered by an exceptional team of 12 women—with plans to onboard even more in the coming months. The dedicated all-women “shakti” sales team will provide expert insurance solutions while paving the way for greater representation of women in the industry. Moving forward, FGII plans to scale this model by expanding similar branches across other key cities, reinforcing its commitment to an equitable workplace.
Speaking at the inauguration event of the all-women’s branch in Kochi, Anup Rau, Managing Director and CEO, Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd. said, “At Future Generali India Insurance, we have always believed that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are not just values but catalysts for meaningful change. On this International Women’s Day, I am immensely proud to announce another step in our DEI journey—the launch of ‘Shakti’, our first-ever all-women branch in Kochi, Kerala. Our dedicated all-women “Shakti” sales team will provide expert insurance solutions while paving the way for greater representation of women in the industry. We hope this initiative inspires more women to pursue careers in insurance and financial services, nurturing the next generation of women leaders at FGII.”
With DEI firmly rooted in the DNA of the organisation, FGII has been undertaking several measures to create a benchmark not just as an inclusive insurer and inclusive employer but also as an inclusive corporate citizen. As an inclusive insurer the company has been customising solutions to address every conceivable homogeneous group, however small. As an inclusive employer, it has been empowering women in leadership roles and operational excellence, not only to foster a stronger workforce but also enhance its ability to serve its customers with greater empathy and understanding.
“The inauguration of the all-women’s branch reinforces our commitment to building an inclusive future, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. As part of our ongoing efforts, we will continue to create more opportunities for women employees to showcase their sales and leadership skills,” Rau said.
For a country the size of India, where women comprise roughly half of the nation’s population, at around 49 per cent, less than one-third, or only about 30%, are covered under health insurance between 2019-21, as per data fetched from the National Family Health Survey India report. Around 34.20 per cent of women are covered under life insurance, IRDAI’s annual report 2022-23 suggests.
Understanding the need gap, the company had launched a comprehensive health insurance plan “HEALTH POWHER” to address the various needs of women across the different stages of their lives last year. Now the launch of this all-women’s branch is not only a reflection of Future Generali’s progressive approach to gender diversity but also demonstrates its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women in the insurance industry. The branch aims to break barriers and establish a benchmark for other organizations to follow. With an all-women team leading the operations, the Kochi branch is poised to enhance the customer experience, provide specialized insurance solutions, and strengthen engagement with the local community.
The establishment of this all-women’s branch also underscores Future Generali’s resolve to expand its footprint in key regions, contributing to the company’s broader goal of providing accessible and inclusive insurance services across the nation. This milestone represents a growing trend within the company to drive innovation, inclusivity, and operational excellence across all levels of its workforce.
The company recently celebrated a significant milestone in its DEI journey of having 1% representation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in its workforce by launching a limited-edition collectible – ‘It’s a Onederful World’. Nearly 22 per cent of the company’s PwD hires are women, once again underscoring its efforts to build a workplace that is inclusive in every sense.
