Our people have skills and energy that can make a real difference to the communities we’re based in. By working alongside local charities, schools and not-for-profit groups, we’re able to focus our efforts and resources for the greatest impact. Our “My Big Idea” inventing competition for local schools has funded new IT equipment for several primary schools and we give a day a year for all staff to do charitable work, as well as time off to give blood.
We try to use fairly traded products in our office kitchens. We support a range of charities through our feedback forms system, Christmas email, and donations for group and individual fundraising events. Staff across the firm are also enthusiastic fundraisers.
La Playa’s direct environmental impact comes mainly from our use of energy and the emissions and waste we generate at our premises. Insurance has traditionally been a very paper-reliant industry, but we’ve taken significant steps to improve our environmental performance:
We aim to employ the best people in the business. Their talent and dedication are what make our growing business so successful. We offer a competitive reward package and a supportive environment in which they can enjoy their work and reach their full potential. That involves recognising that employees have lives outside work, and giving them opportunities to work flexibly where possible. ‘Birthday Tea’ means staff go home at 3pm on their birthday to celebrate with friends and family. We provide fresh fruit and great coffee for employees.
We support Cleantech business clients with risk management and insurance programmes for their innovations in environmental custodianship, and promote ethical and green investment for our financial management clients.
We recruit and promote people only on merit, regardless of race, gender, religion, marital status, sexuality, disability or age.
We reward excellent performance with an excellent reward package consisting of salary, bonus and benefits.
Employing the best people requires a commitment by the company to giving them every opportunity to fulfil their potential through learning and development. Each individual’s training needs are reviewed twice a year along with performance against clearly set objectives.
For employees to do their best, they must understand the business and their role in it. For this, communication is essential. We try to keep employees up to date with the business through formal briefings and team meetings as well as more informal means. Managers take these opportunities to listen to employees and involve them in the development of the business. We also have regular social events including barbecues and a picnic for employees’ families.
It’s the culture at La Playa that sets us apart. We value quality, integrity, excellence, respect and fun. We believe if people enjoy what they do, they will do it well. And vice versa. One of the philosophies behind the company name (La Playa = “the beach” in Spanish) is “Life’s a Beach”.
In the way we deal with clients, we are committed to professional integrity, treating customers fairly, and maintaining true independence to achieve the best possible result for our clients.
We try to maintain a balance between maintaining high standards of governance and compliance with regulation, and a degree of innovation, responsiveness and fleetness of foot.
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