#IAM: We stand together with our team mates

The Asset Allocation team at LGIM is a very close-knit group. Together we work hard to manage investments and risks for our clients, but we also understand there is more to being a team than just work. Team mates are often more than just colleagues. We look after each other when the going gets tough.

The killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, and everything that has followed has had a deep impact on many of us.

To quote what my teammate Justin Onuekwusi wrote at the time: “The events of the last week have left us all lost for words. It has left us depressed, frustrated and maybe somewhat lost. It has maybe led many of us to question ourselves and our role in this world.” I urge you all to read his post in full; the reactions to the #IAM initiative have been extremely positive and broad based.

We realise that many of us are very privileged, each of us in our own way: having jobs, friends, and for many of us a wonderful family. However, for some of us it took many personal struggles to get to where we are now.

This year we want to recognise the struggle of our black colleagues, team mates and friends throughout LGIM. We want to show them that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them when they feel depressed, frustrated and angry after the latest tragedies in the long and horrific history of violence and racism against black communities.

With this in mind, we have chosen to raise money for the Aleto Foundation as part of our regular charitable campaigns. The foundation is a charity created to provide opportunities for young people with high potential from an unprivileged background. We hope our contribution can change lives and help people to reach their full potential.

As a team, we hope to show our support and raise some money for the Aleto Foundation by recording the song in the video below. The song and clip reflect the unprecedented times in which we are living – fighting a virus, enduring a lockdown, and battling structural racism. Our special thanks go to the Phoenix Chamber Choir for allowing us to use their vocals.

If you enjoy the video, please do consider donating to the Aleto Foundation.

We hope we can raise awareness of and contribute to the Aleto Foundation to the same extent – or more! – as we have in our previous charitable campaigns.

As a team, every year we choose a charity that is special to us and try to raise money for it. Last year, for example, we chose Dyscover to support our teammate and friend Kevin who suffered from speaking difficulties as the result of a stroke.