Phoenix Group, Europe’s largest life and pensions consolidator, today announces that it has been officially recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a UK Top Employer for the 9th year running. The award was assessed on a comprehensive range of criteria including Talent and Acquisition, Compensation and Benefits, Culture and Learning and Development. It recognises the Group’s on-going commitment to developing and investing in colleagues, and being a responsible, sustainable and inclusive employer who values and rewards the contributions colleagues make to the business.

The Group has £245 billion of assets under administration and operations in the UK, Germany and Ireland. It employs nearly 4,500 people, with almost 3,000 based in Edinburgh where it has one of its operational headquarters.

The annual, international research, undertaken by the Top Employers Institute, recognises leading employers around the world; those that provide excellent employee conditions, develop talent and which strive to continuously optimise employment practices.

Phoenix is committed to creating a culture and environment where everyone can contribute to the success of the business and our value of Growth sits at the heart of this. Phoenix invests in developing its people and offers a range of learning opportunities for everyone, from apprenticeships and early career programmes, to mentoring programmes that build inclusion, through to thought leadership development programmes. In September 2019 as part of our colleague insights survey, two thirds of our people said they had the opportunity for personal development and growth.

Clive Bannister, Group CEO at Phoenix Group said: “We are delighted to be included for the ninth consecutive year in the UK Top Employers listing, which reflects our commitment to providing a supportive environment in which colleagues are able to do their best for our customers. We are continually looking to build and develop the talent of our employees to make Phoenix Group the best workplace it can be.”

Various colleague-led networks are in operation across the Group, with the common goal of collaboration, providing support and promoting an inclusive place to work. New for 2019 has been the expansion of Mind Matters, mental health network group-wide. Collectively it promotes the tools and resources available to support colleagues in need and encourages positive mental health for all.

The other networks in operation include a platform for colleagues and allies to come together to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Networks connect and support working carers, armed forces personnel, gender diversity, young person’s development, cultural differences and our Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender community. Networks are sponsored by members of our executive management team, portraying the importance we place on colleague collaboration and employee voice.

Many of the networks are leading in their area of expertise, receiving valuable external recognition. Examples include:

• One Edinburgh colleague winning ‘Team Leader of the Year’ at the Scottish ExForces in Business Awards.

• An award to recognise the value veterans add to business as well as employers that support the transition into the workplace.

• The Group achieved a Silver Award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which recognises employers that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the armed forces community.

All colleagues also have the opportunity to make a difference in their local community through volunteering activity. In 2019, colleagues Group-wide donated over 6,000 hours supporting a variety of beneficiaries ranging from a hospital, schools, hospices, local parks, environmental-focused projects to groups supporting the homelessness. Within the UK the Group partnered with air ambulance charities in Scotland, the Midlands, London and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with colleague fundraising and associated Company matched donations collectively benefiting them by over £200,000.

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Media enquiries:

Rachel Esland
PR and Public Affairs Manager
Standard Life Assurance, part of Phoenix Group
0131 245 0489 / 07892 705093
rachel_esland@standardlife.com