This year marks a significant milestone for Personal Group as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. Reflecting on the last four decades, we’ve witnessed societal changes, technological advancements, and historical events all the while steadily supporting the wellbeing of the UK workforce. During this time, we have evolved from a specialised insurance provider into a comprehensive benefits and services company, making a tangible impact on the lives of millions of workers.  

What hasn’t changed over all this time is our purpose: protecting and connecting the working backbone of the UK. This mission has guided us in developing a broad range of services aimed at improving employee health, wellbeing, and engagement. We are dedicated not only to meeting the needs of today’s workforce but also to anticipating and addressing the challenges of tomorrow. As we reflect on our history, several key milestones stand out, each representing a step forward in our mission. 

Serving More Industries.  

Our strategy has been to widen our footprint, from insurance sales to transforming reward and benefits. We’ve accelerated our offerings to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by partnering with SAGE. Today, we serve a diverse range of sectors from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and education, ensuring that more workers can access the support they need. 

Responding to Economic and Health Crises 

Personal Group has proven itself to be resilient and responsive in the face of crisis. During the Covid pandemic, we quickly adapted to the changing needs of our clients by offering tailored insurance solutions that provided much-needed peace of mind during uncertain times. Similarly, in response to the recent cost-of-living crisis, our salary sacrifice schemes and discounts for everything from grocery shopping to days out have helped employees stretch their earnings further. These initiatives have been crucial in helping workers tackle financial difficulties in troubling times. 

Developing Innovative Employee Engagement Platforms 

Innovation has always been a cornerstone of Personal Group’s approach. One of our most significant contributions in recent years has been the development of the Hapi platform, a market-leading employee engagement tool. Fully customisable, Hapi allows employers to customise their platform to their brand look and feel and tailor their benefits offering to meet their employees’ specific needs, creating a more engaged and motivated workforce. For SMEs, Sage Employee Benefits, brings engagement to businesses of all sizes, ensuring that even the smallest companies can provide their employees with the same level of support as larger enterprises. Meanwhile, Innecto Reward Consulting – acquired in 2019 – has a suite of digital products such as Advance, a tool that takes the pain out of pay review for HR professionals. 

A Legacy of Face-to-Face Engagement 

Personal engagement has always been at the core of our business. In 2023 alone, we held over 128,000 face-to-face conversations with employees, underscoring our belief in the importance of direct interaction. This approach has been instrumental in building trust and ensuring that the benefits and services we provide truly meet the needs of those we serve. By maintaining a strong, personal connection with the workforce, we can better understand their concerns. 

Bigger, Better, Happier… 

Looking to the future, Personal Group is focused on supporting the changing needs of employees and HR professionals alike. Our latest version of Hapi (2.0) introduced to our clients this year, has been developed to be flexible. In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of physical and mental wellbeing cannot be overstated. Recognising how difficult it is to get access to NHS appointments, the Online GP service, and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) on Hapi will be increasingly pivotal to a healthier and happier workforce. 

Better Together - Supporting HR Professionals in Overcoming Challenges 

HR faces a tonne of challenges, from attracting and retaining talent to boosting employee engagement. Many companies are struggling with the balance of office-based and remote working. There are legislative challenges such as flexible working and hybrid work regulations; post-Brexit immigration rules; Gender Pay Gap reporting; Minimum wage and living wage increases; Trade union activity… that’s just the tip of the HR iceberg. The thing is, we understand these challenges and are committed to providing solutions that help HR professionals succeed across our business units: 

• Lack of Employee Recognition: Through Hapi, employee achievements are recognised and celebrated, creating a culture of appreciation and respect. 
• Attracting and Retaining Talent: Our benefits packages are designed to make your company a more attractive workplace, helping reduce turnover and retain top talent. 
• Boosting Engagement and Morale: Engaged employees are more productive and satisfied. We offer a range of programmes that keep your workforce motivated. 
• Improving HR Time Efficiencies: Our services streamline HR processes, freeing up valuable time for professionals to focus on initiatives rather than administrative tasks. 
• Driving Business Performance with Data: With our analytics, businesses can make informed decisions, and ultimately drive better business outcomes. 

Affordable Insurance for Everyone 

Our insurance remains at the core of our business, providing simple, affordable plans that offer peace of mind to employees and their families. Whether it’s our hospital plan, recovery plan, or life cover, ensures employees are protected without placing additional financial burdens on their employers.  

We have come a long way since 1984 so join us in celebrating this month and let us know what challenges your business faces so that we can tackle it together in the coming months and years. We are excited to listen, learn and innovate. 

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the next 40 years! 

 

To find our more about Hapi 2.0 join us at EB Live at the ExCel London (Stand A36) on 8th and 9th October or email: Andrew.Walker@personalgroup.com.  

Listen to Andrew’s podcast on EVP and a multigenerational workforce here.