Hastings Direct to hire 500 new staff over next 12 months. 6 Nov 2026 Reading time: 2 minutes Hastings Direct has announced plans to hire more than 500 people across a range of business areas over the next 12 months. The roles span customer-facing, claims, pricing, underwriting, commercial, data and technology teams. Hastings is looking for both experienced professionals and talented graduates and apprentices, while also investing significantly in training, development and promotions for its existing colleagues. Recruitment will be nationwide, supported by Hastings' flexible working policy, with a focus on its core sites in Bexhill and Leicester as well as its offices in London and Gibraltar. Toby van der Meer, chief of Hastings Direct, said:"Hastings has grown rapidly, and our ambition is to keep growing for years to come. We are investing heavily in technology and AI, while continuing to also invest in talented people who will help us turn that ambition into reality. These investments will support us to grow efficiently, with customer numbers increasing faster than headcount as we realise the benefits of digitalisation, automation and greater scale. "We're really proud to be recognised as the UK's number one Best Big Company to Work for the last two years running, and we're now looking for more people who want to join our team and make an impact, build skills in a digital, data driven business and be part of a real growth story."

Brake renews partnership with Hastings Direct as insurance provider commits to funding and awareness drive. Brake, the road safety charity, is pleased to announce it is partnering with Hastings Direct for a second year. This year, the insurance provider is stepping up its support, becoming a Strategic Partner of the charity. This is the highest tier of partnership with Brake, reflecting significant funding for the coming year and a commitment to working towards a shared vision of a world with zero road death and injury. Hastings Direct is a co-sponsor of Road Safety Week, Brake's biggest annual campaign, running from 15 to 21 November 2026. This follows the success of Hastings Direct's co-sponsorship of the event last year. Thanks to that sponsorship, more than 3,600 educators, employers, emergency services personnel and others were able to take part in Road Safety Week 2025, using Brake's free resources, and reaching more than 10.5 million people with important road safety messages. In addition, Hastings Direct has engaged staff across the business in a raft of activity to spread awareness and raise money over the last year. In July, the company hosted a series of road safety events at its Bexhill and Leicester offices. Managers and employees came together to learn about how teams work to support safer driving behaviours, with simulated driving activities, interactive games, giveaways and prizes to fundraise for Brake. Earlier this year, members of Hastings Direct staff took part in Brake's 5k a Day in May challenge, taking inspiration from peers who completed Cycle to Work Week last year, with both events raising money for Brake. Other activities have included bake sales, with staff adding the proceeds to the fundraising total. Generous funding from Hastings Direct enables Brake to continue to provide free, specialist, life-changing support to grieving families after a crash, and to campaign for solutions that prevent road death and injury. Ross Moorlock, CEO of Brake, gave a presentation at Hasting's Direct's Bexhill road safety event. He said: "It was a pleasure to be a part of this lively event and talk about the work we do at Brake to support road victims and campaign for safe and healthy mobility for everyone. "This incredibly important Strategic Partnership will help us to continue that vital work. I have been blown away by the energy and enthusiasm of the fundraisers at Hastings Direct, who have come together to raise money and echo our road safety messages. "So, I'd like to thank Hastings Direct for everything its teams are doing to encourage safe driving practices, promote safer roads, and help us to be there to support people affected by road crashes." Toby van der Meer, CEO of Hastings Direct, added: "We're delighted to continue our partnership with Brake for a second year. At a time when road safety remains a major concern across the UK, it's a cause we care deeply about. Too many lives are changed forever by preventable road collisions and, as an insurer, we see that impact first-hand. That's why we're committed to helping make roads safer through education, awareness and advocacy. Together, we've helped Brake provide specialist support to many bereaved families and enabled road safety campaigns that have reached millions of people across the UK."