Two big announcements from big business leaders last week, both having to do with women moving to the most senior roles in storied companies.
From CEO.com: “The Lloyd’s of London insurance market has appointed its first ever female chief executive: Inga Beale, a 30 year industry veteran who was previously head of insurer Canopius, starts in her new role in January 2014, Lloyd’s said in a statement on Monday.
“Her CEO experience, underwriting background, international experience and operational skills, together with her knowledge of the Lloyd’s market, make Inga the ideal Chief Executive for Lloyd’s,” said Lloyd’s chairman John Nelson.”
General Motors elevated Mary Barra, senior vice president for global product development, the first time a major American auto maker has chosen a woman for the top job.
Says Norris Lozano, CEO of BusinessUS, which has a strong commitment to women-owned small businesses, “BusinessUS would like to congratulate both Inga Beale and Mary Barra, for being promoted to the pivotal roles at their respective companies. They are the best qualified people for their jobs, and we look forward to seeing more women in the senior corporate roles they work hard for and deserve.”
As women leading major corporations, Beale and Barra join Ursula Burns (CEO of Xerox), Meg Whitman (CEO of Hewlett Packard), Irene Rosenfeld (CEO of Kraft), Denise Morrison (CEO of Campbell’s Soup), Ellen Kullman (CEO, DuPont), Patricia Woertz, CEO of Archer Daniels Midland), Indra Nooyi (CEO, PepsiCo), Virginia Rometty (CEO of IBM), and Marissa Mayer (CEO of Yahoo), among others.
The BusinessUS Corporate Blog; Norris Lozano, CEO 