Direct Line Group signs social mobility pledge

Direct Line Group is proud to have signed the Social Mobility Pledge and is today launching a new internal group designed to meet the Group’s new commitment.

Launched by former Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening the Social Mobility Pledge is a nation-wide campaign which encourages businesses to play their part in boosting social mobility by providing training and employment opportunities to local people from disadvantaged communities.

Direct Line Group becomes the latest employer to become an accredited social mobility employer, building on its established Diversity Network Alliance (DNA) which has championed diversity and inclusion across the business for a number of years.

Diversity and inclusion is an important part of Direct Line Group’s culture where employee-led groups celebrate inclusivity, raise awareness and provide support for colleagues across a range of issues. The creation of the new Social Mobility DNA group will assist in running outreach programmes and aims to identify, reduce and remove barriers to career progression for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Penny James, CEO at Direct Line Group commented, “I’m delighted we’ve signed up to the pledge. I recently met up with Justine and came away thinking why wouldn’t we want to do this as a business. We’ve got a great record on diversity and inclusion already and our new company vision is to create a world where insurance is personal, inclusive and a force for good. Signing the pledge is testament to that and the new social mobility group will be a great addition in helping us meet our commitment.

“We know that if you have a diverse and inclusive group of people, with a wide variety of different experiences and ideas, this produces better outcomes.”

Rt Hon Justine Greening said: "Direct Line Group is an example of a business that really understands the importance of diversity and social mobility. They have recognised that a forward-thinking, inclusive approach to recruitment and progression is a huge benefit to them as an organisation, their people and the communities in which they operate. 

"By signing the Social Mobility Pledge, Direct Line Group is underlining their commitment to levelling up Britain. I am looking forward to working closely with them to drive up social mobility across the UK and I encourage others to join us."

Direct Line Group already work with schools and colleges to provide work experience opportunities and as part of signing the pledge will develop more partnerships and increase access for people from disadvantages backgrounds.

More information about Direct Line Groups people strategy :

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Social Mobility Pledge was founded in 2018 by Justine Greening supported by David Harrison, chair of the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility. To date over 400 companies, employing more than three million people, have signed the Pledge. 

For more information please contact:

Jade Trimbee

Senior Manager - Corporate and Financial

External Affairs

Tel: 01372 839 452

Mobile: 07825 315 931

Email: Jade.Trimbee@directlinegroup.co.uk

Direct Line Insurance Group plc

Direct Line Group is headquartered in Bromley. Through its number of well-known brands the Group offers a wide range of general insurance products to consumers. These brands include Direct Line, Churchill and Privilege. The Group also provides insurance services for third parties through its partnerships division, Direct Line Group Partnerships. In the commercial sector, the Group's NIG and Direct Line for Business operations offer insurance products for businesses distributed through brokers or direct, respectively

www.directlinegroup.co.uk