NORMA DOVE-EDWIN

For Norma Dove-Edwin, power is in the detail. It’s not just a philosophy she applies to her work in technology, but to how she lives, leads and shows up in the world.

As Group Strategy Director at Legal & General, Norma is responsible for setting the vision for how the company uses digital, data, AI and technology to create value and deliver better experiences. With over 25 years in technology, spanning aerospace, utilities and supply chains, she has built her career on curiosity, problem-solving and the courage to take on challenges that others might shy away from.

But Norma’s story extends beyond strategy, execution and being a Chief Digital and Information Officer. It’s about identity, representation and the quiet strength of knowing exactly who you are. A proud Nigerian woman, she describes her cultural heritage as her anchor: “Nigerians are deeply rooted in our culture. We know who we are, and we carry that with pride. It never occurs to me to think I’m a Black woman in this room, I just know I belong here.”

That confidence has carried her through a vast array of experiences and pushes her to do her bit. At a recent leadership event of 100 senior executives, Norma was the only Black person present. Experiences like these sharpen her sense of responsibility: “When you’re the only one, people see you as representing everyone who looks like you. It can feel overwhelming at times. But it’s also why it’s so important to take your seat at the table with pride and purpose, ready to contribute and make a difference”

This year’s Black History Month theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride, resonates with Norma on a personal level. For her, pride is about never diluting who you are, and power is about using your influence to empower others. “Real power isn’t about control. It’s about giving power away; building diverse teams, inspiring the next generation, and helping others believe they can do what they didn’t think was possible.”

‘Power is in the detail’ speaks to how she believes lasting change happens. In technology, it means asking tough questions about bias in AI and pushing for diverse datasets, so systems don’t disadvantage underrepresented groups. In the workplace, it means challenging lazy thinking about inclusion, going beyond tokenistic representation to address the subtle biases, recruitment habits and cultural barriers

that truly shape inclusion. If you want real change, you have to go beneath the surface. The detail is where the power lies.

Norma is most proud when she sees the impact of her presence on others, especially young women in technology. “If even one person looks at me and thinks, If she can do it, so can I, then I’ve done something worthwhile.” She carries that same hope for her daughter: “When she enters the workforce, I want her to look up and see people who look like her at the top. I want her to know she doesn’t have to question her place.”

Her vision for her legacy at Legal & General is simple but bold: to reshape how the company thinks about technology, to drive strategies that make colleagues’ experiences better, and to leave behind a culture where inclusivity is not an aspiration but a lived reality.

Norma Dove-Edwin stands firm in her power and pride, not by chasing the spotlight, but by staying true to who she is and reminding us all that the smallest details can hold the greatest strength.