Women, Mentorship and the Future of Insurance
15 September 2025
In the latest issue of Modern Insurance Magazine, our Owner/Director Donna Scully shared her journey into leadership, her unwavering commitment to inclusion and social justice, and her mission to champion women across the insurance and legal sectors.
If you've ever had the joy of hearing Donna Scully speak, whether on a podcast, a panel, or over a cold glass of white wine, you'll know she brings a rare mix of straight-talking honesty, fierce compassion, and that unmistakable Irish warmth. As Joint Owner and Director of Carpenters Group, Donna's journey into the insurance and legal world is as inspiring as it is impactful.
"I didn't set out to be a trailblazer or an influencer," Donna says with a smile. "But I've always believed in doing the right thing, speaking up, and making space for others to thrive.
Under Donna and her team's leadership, Carpenters Group has become a beacon for inclusion, social justice, and female empowerment in a sector that hasn't always been known for it. They've also become the business that handle more OIC claims than their next three competitors combined.
From Liverpool to Leadership
With over 25 years in Liverpool and a proud Irish heritage, this 'adopted scouser' has built a reputation as a leader in insurance, a respected lawyer, and a passionate advocate for reform. She's worked closely with the Ministry of Justice on civil justice reform, tackled insurance fraud head-on, and helped shape the future of motor claims. But ask her what she's proudest of, and she won't list awards (though there are many, including Merseyside Woman of the Year), she'll talk about people.
"Our people are everything," she says. "And when we support women to lead, to speak up, to be seen, we all benefit."
Championing Women, Loud and Clear
Donna's mission to champion women isn't a side project, it's central to who she is. It all forms part of her 'inbuilt need' to champion those who need it most. She's a mentor with The Girls' Network and the Insurance Breakfast Club, and she's a firm believer in the power of visibility.
"You can't be what you can't see," she says. "That's why I show up. That's why I speak out. Because if one young woman sees me and thinks, 'Maybe I can do that too,' then it's 100% worth it."
She's not alone in this mission. Across Carpenters Group, women are leading with strength and empathy. Carpenters CEO is Donna Richards, Carol Hopwood heads up the Serious and Catastrophic Injury team with unwavering dedication. Joanne Haslam brings innovation and care to fast-track claims. Sam Nicholson sets the gold standard in Insurance Services. There are also female leaders in the form of a CIO, Head of People and Head of Brand and Communications. These women, and many more, are shaping the future of our industry every day.
Mentorship is a Lifeline, not a Luxury
For Donna, mentorship matters. "Mentoring from John Carpenter changed my life," she says. "It gave me confidence, perspective, and a sense of belonging. I didn't know it was 'mentoring' then, but I do now so I try to do the same for others."
That ethos runs deep at Carpenters. From apprenticeships to leadership coaching, from lunch-and-learns, an in house legal academy, DEI initiatives, the culture is one of growth, support, and shared success.
"We don't just talk about inclusion, we live it," Donna says. "But we can't be complacent. The industry is getting better, yes, but as I said at BIBA 2025 - now is the time to double down.
"The world feels turbulent. That is a feeling I'm used to. My own childhood wasn't an easy one, and my path to where I am today had more opportunities to fail than succeed - but here I am. Just because things feel challenging does not mean they are impossible."
A Culture of Care
Donna's commitment to people doesn't stop at the office door. She runs a homeless breakfast club every Sunday, personally attending and providing food. She's an ambassador for Fans Supporting Foodbanks and a sponsor of multiple grassroots organisations tackling social mobility, homelessness, and mental health. This isn't charity for show, it's care in action.
"We're a business, yes," Donna says. "But we're also a community. And we have a responsibility to lift as we climb."
Looking Ahead
Donna's vision is clear, a sector that reflects the world it serves. A workplace where women lead without compromise. And a culture where everyone, regardless of background, feels they belong.
"We've come a long way," she says. "But we're not done. Not by a long shot. We need to keep pushing, keep mentoring, keep showing up. Because when women rise, we all rise. To help women we need to continue to champion flexibility. My own twins are grown men now and there was a time when the work/life juggle seemed insurmountable. Having a flexible and supportive employer can be the making or breaking of working parents regardless of gender."
Donna is quick to mention men and their role as allies whilst women continue to succeed in the industry. "This simply does not work without men. There are enough seats at the table. And, as women learn to unpick behaviours that don't serve them and use their voice fully, we must support men to adapt to a more diverse workplace to This isn't a gender war - it's a new chapter and one we must write together.
