In conversation with Kiran Yadav, Chief People Officer, Canara HSBC Life Insurance
Moderated by: Dhiren Makhija, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services Limited
Reflecting on the government’s decision to raise the FDI cap in insurance to 100%, Kiran highlighted that capital inflow is not merely about faster growth, it is about building long-term capability.
“Increased investment strengthens technology, governance, and training systems. Along with capital comes responsibility—especially in shaping resilient, future-ready talent.”
She noted that job creation in insurance will increasingly move beyond frontline sales to include underwriting, analytics, customer experience, and digital operations, dispelling the myth that AI will eliminate roles.
“AI will not take away jobs, it will redefine them. Human judgment, empathy, and contextual understanding remain irreplaceable.”
One of the strongest themes of the conversation was the need to reframe how the industry views entry-level hiring.
“Entry-level roles must be seen as the start of a career, not a short-term transaction.”
“The first manager shapes a fresher’s entire perception of work. If managers are not coaches, the system collapses.”
Sharing Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s approach, Kiran explained that AI is already deeply embedded in junior-level hiring for efficiency and scale.
“AI is no longer a choice—it’s a mandate. But mindset, values, and ethics still need human assessment.”
While technology helps streamline recruitment and performance tracking, leadership judgment remains critical in evaluating adaptability and intent.
Addressing invisible barriers faced by women, Kiran spoke candidly about subconscious bias and how life stages are often mistaken for lack of ambition.
“Inclusion is not about policies—it’s about recognizing reality.”
She shared how Canara HSBC Life Insurance introduced a ‘nanny support allowance’ for junior women employees—an industry-first initiative aimed at preventing career drop-offs during early motherhood.
“This single intervention significantly improved retention. Small, thoughtful actions create long-term impact.”
With entry-level attrition often exceeding 50%, Kiran highlighted the need to move from output obsession to input management.
“Instead of only asking whether targets were met, we must ask, were people equipped to meet them?”
“Teach people how to fish, and they won’t feel overwhelmed by targets.”
Responding to Gen Z’s preference for equities and SIPs over protection products, Kiran made a strong case for insurance as continuity—not returns.
“Insurance is not about wealth creation. It’s about what happens when life doesn’t go as planned.”
Closing the session, Kiran offered practical guidance for early-career professionals:
“Most people can do most jobs. Thriving depends on culture, safety, and belonging.”
Watch the full Samvaad: In Conversation with Kiran Yadav, CPO, Canara HSBC
About Kiran Yadav
Kiran Yadav is a seasoned HR leader with nearly two decades of experience across the insurance and financial services sector. She currently serves as Chief People Officer at Canara HSBC Life Insurance, where she leads people strategy, talent development, leadership pipelines, and cultural transformation initiatives.
Known for her strong business-aligned HR approach, Kiran has played a pivotal role in building high-performance teams, strengthening governance, and driving organization-wide change to support sustainable growth. Prior to her current role, she has held senior leadership positions at PNB MetLife, MetLife India Insurance, Aviva Life Insurance, and G Capital.
A passionate advocate for inclusion, employability, and future-ready workforce models, Kiran actively contributes to industry conversations on talent, diversity, and the evolving world of work.
