Profile
"West Oak’s success has come from always putting our clients’ best interests first and always finding ways to improve and add more value to them"
Andrew mcquiston,
west oak family office, wellington-altus private wealth
Elizabeth Williams serves as head of people and culture at HDI Global SE in Australia, managing 104 employees across five locations in the country.
She has been with HDI for almost 20 years, and has been key to creating a forward-thinking, solution-oriented culture within the group. As a thought leader, Elizabeth navigates change and growth with a keen understanding of the risks and business issues that face the insurance sector. These qualities and her vision helped transform the culture of HDI to a growth mindset and seen the organisation through a decade of significant growth, with revenue up 400% in that time.
A leader in diversity, equity and inclusion as well as a change ambassador, Elizabeth is responsible for realising HDI’s ambition to provide the career opportunities and culture that will attract the talent it needs to become the leading corporate insurer in Australasia. She has implemented an effective recruitment process to highlight and remove unconscious bias that has seen the team grow with diversity. In addition, Elizabeth has refined policies to ensure gender-neutral language and empower those with, or are considering to have, a family. She also works closely with the management team to ensure career development opportunities, so all employees can reach their potential.
Within the HDI group, Elizabeth is recognised globally as an HR leader who can bring people together. As a change ambassador, a number of her initiatives have been rolled out across HDI’s international network, such as the Global Onboarding Forum, Global Connect, and English Tea language practice and networking sessions, enhancing the experience and opportunity for all employees.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she introduced and led a number of successful initiatives connecting the team to feel supported and engaged, enabling them to achieve GWP of $314m in 2021, up 38.5% for the year. In the same year, the local HDI team committed to raising a large impact grant for local community organisation Waitara Disability Services, and with Elizabeth’s support and encouragement, has already raised 60% of the $91,000 target.
Also in 2021, the Talanx Group, of which HDI is a subsidiary, participated in the McKinsey Occupational Health Survey and HDI Australia ranked in the top percentile in seven of nine criteria, with the highest score of 88 overall, a testament to the unique and positive culture Elizabeth has helped create.
20 Martin Place Sydney NSW 2000
02 8274 4200
elizabeth.williams@hdi.global
au.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-williams-33220160
hdi.global
Elizabeth Williams
Head of People and Culture
HDI Global SE, Australia
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Special Report
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2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Year 7 Community Leader and Leader for Learning Technologies and Platforms at Northern Beaches Christian School
Master of Business Administration, 2017–2019
2021
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2013
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Master of Education (Curriculum and Pedagogy)
2013
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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2004
2019
2021
2020–present
2021–present
Elizabeth Williams
Head of People and Culture
HDI Global SE, Australia
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2004
2019
2021
2020–present
2021–present
Elizabeth Williams
Head of People and Culture
HDI Global SE, Australia
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2021–present
2020–present
2021
2019
2004
2021–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
National Manager at Link Financial Group
2021–present
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2020–present
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Recognized as one of Insurance Business Australia’s Elite Women in 2020 and 2021
Completed her Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management
at the Australian College of Commerce and Management in 2022
2020–present
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2021
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Promoted to head of people and culture
2021
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2009
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Became a founding member of HDI’s global and local diversity,
equity and inclusion working group and a change ambassador for the global HDI network
2019
2009–2011
2004
human resources | key media
Joined HDI Global SE as human resources manager
2004
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Milestones