After Insurance Australia Group (IAG) acquired Hastings Direct and Equality Insurance Group, in 2006 and 2007 respectively, IAG UK harmonised the employee benefits of its umbrella brands to create a single structure of reward for staff.

During this process, the company focused on innovation and engagement. It implemented a harmonised pension scheme, total reward statements, voluntary benefits and flexible benefits in three stages.

IAG UK found that 85% of its employees earned less than £30,000, so it decided to implement a voluntary benefits scheme that would help their salaries go further.

The resulting voluntary benefits portal now receives regular visits from 47% of staff. Meanwhile, every worker has been migrated to the relaunched pension scheme. IAG feels that staff now have a greater appreciation of their benefits, giving it a competitive edge.

Judges' comments

One judge said: "The method IAG used makes sense. It is what I would do in a similar situation. The three-phased approach was sensible so as not to overload employees."

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