Press release -
Allianz launches Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Allianz UK is proud to announce its new membership of the Sunflower, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity and supporting individuals with non-visible disabilities through an initiative that will support both customers and employees.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognised symbol designed to indicate that an individual has a non-visible disability and may require additional support, assistance, or patience.
To celebrate the launch of its membership, Allianz hosted a panel event in London for employees to discuss non-visible disabilities and their impact on colleagues and customers, while exploring ways to foster understanding and support within the organisation.
Panel speakers included: Serge Raffard, Managing Director of Personal Lines, Allianz UK; Alison Rayner, Chief Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer, Allianz UK; Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower; Jon Reynolds, Senior Business Analyst AZUK Transformation, Allianz Ability member and HD Sunflower Advocate; and Funmi Oredein, Broker Agency Controller, Allianz Personal.
Serge Raffard, who is also the Allianz UK Executive Committee ally for the Ability Employee Network, said: "We are so proud to be launching the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower at Allianz. We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their visible or non-visible disabilities, feels supported and understood. This important membership was initiated by our Ability Employee Network, which exemplifies the group’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere for everyone."
Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said: “We are thrilled that Allianz has become a member of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. They are committed to ensuring that their organisation supports everyone, including their colleagues. Joining the global Sunflower community, will help to create a supportive, inclusive environment for their staff and customers alike.”
Allianz has already begun to roll-out employee training sessions across the business, run by the Sunflower, so that colleagues can learn how they can best support Sunflower wearers. Employees will also receive full access to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website and suite of resources.
ENDS
Media contact:
Sian Baker | sian.baker@allianz.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
An image from the Allianz panel event is attached including Ben Moss, Head of External Communications, Allianz UK; Alison Rayner, Chief Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer, Allianz UK; Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower; Funmi Oredein, Broker Agency Controller, Allianz Personal and Jon Reynolds, Senior Business Analyst AZUK Transformation, Allianz Ability member and HD Sunflower Advocate.
About the Sunflower
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a global program supporting individuals with non-visible disabilities, conditions, and neurodivergence. Since its inception in the UK in 2016, the Sunflower program has expanded its reach worldwide, working with organizations across a diverse range of sectors, including retail, financial services, transportation with over 330 airports in 30 countries and 22 airlines, travel and tourism, education, healthcare, emergency services, and entertainment.
The Sunflower symbol provides individuals with a discreet, voluntary way to share that they have a non-visible disability, condition, or neurodivergence and may need extra assistance, understanding, time, or space. This simple, non-verbal method empowers individuals to navigate their workplace and public spaces with greater confidence and ease, fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment.
As a privately held multinational company headquartered in the UK, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower operates in numerous countries, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Mauritius, Poland, the UAE, the UK, and the USA.
For more information, visit hdsunflower.com or for media enquiries, contact chantal@hdsunflower.com
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About Allianz Holdings plc
Allianz Holdings plc is the non-regulated holding company which owns the principal insurance operations of Allianz SE in Great Britain including Allianz Insurance.
About Allianz
The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with around 128 million* private and corporate customers in nearly 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 776 billion euros** on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage about 1.9 trillion euros** of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are among the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2024, over 156,000 employees achieved total business volume of 179.8 billion euros and an operating profit of 16.0 billion euros for the group.
* Including non-consolidated entities with Allianz customers.
** As of December 31, 2024.
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