QBE Australia and Pacific CEO Sue Houghton has called on the industry to do more to promote inclusive leadership opportunities.

Speaking at the Women Unlimited Leadership Summit, she voiced hope that her position goes beyond “giving visibility to women in leadership” and serves to “inspire others to effect change beyond the boundaries of their role”. 

She said: “We’re facing some of the biggest challenges our industry has ever seen, and we won’t solve them in isolation.

“It’s going to take collaboration, courage and a willingness to lead differently.”  

Ms Houghton says effective leadership “demands more than just direction, it calls for curiosity and adaptability”, and those qualities have been reflected in her own journey, which includes a background studying history.

“People are often surprised by that, but I draw on my background in history every day. It shapes how I lead – through storytelling, understanding human nature and navigating change.”  

Ms Houghton commented on the summit’s theme of “resilience”, noting it “isn’t just about bouncing back, it’s about staying grounded when things shift, and helping others do the same.  

“It’s something I’ve had to learn throughout my career, and something I try to model. Because when the road gets bumpy, people look to you – not for all the answers, but for steadiness.”  

She said her peers’ stories on leadership and inspiration left her “feeling energised, and more certain than ever that leadership is about creating space for others to thrive”.  

The summit in Sydney on September 30 and October 1 had more than 200 speakers including former prime minister Julia Gillard and former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton.