Hastings Direct

Ranked No.4 – 2023/2024

Hastings Direct led the way for the insurance sector in diversity and inclusion in 2023, achieving the 4th spot on the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. With approximately 5000 employees and a far-reaching customer base, their Chief Executive Officer, Toby Van Der Meer, recognises the importance of focusing on creating an inclusive workplace for every employee to attract a diverse pool of talent. His personal commitment to diversity and inclusion is seen throughout the organisation, from senior leadership support to their dedicated D&I professionals and internal consultants to their employees.

“At Hastings we’re committed to learning and building a truly diverse organisation. As a digitally focussed business with big growth ambitions and a colleague centric approach, there are many opportunities for new and existing colleagues to have an exciting career with us, whilst having some fun along the way as well! Combining this proposition with our inclusive culture makes us, we hope, an increasingly appealing option for ambitious people from all backgrounds wanting to make a difference. We work hard to make sure that Hastings Direct remains a place where all colleagues can be who they are, contribute and thrive. I’m personally committed to improving diversity within our senior leadership. This is partly about attracting talent from the external market, but maybe more importantly, targeting specific actions for our existing colleagues who want to progress their careers with us.”

In the past year Hastings have made progress on increasing diversity within the executive leadership team and have plans for further changes over time. Over the last 3 years, the organisation has expanded their focus on diversity and inclusion beyond gender and ethnicity to also drive meaningful action on disability and social mobility inclusion. They continue to celebrate and raise awareness of religious, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity and improve their support for carers and those with parental responsibilities. In the past year they launched a #CountmeIn campaign encouraging colleagues to share more about who they are. Their ways of working involve listening to colleagues to understand their needs before acting.