Hastings Direct has announced plans to hire more than 500 people over the next 12 months, in one of the largest recruitment drives by a UK insurer this year. The Bexhill-on-Sea company, one of the UK's largest and fastest-growing digital insurers, said the hiring reflects continued strong growth in customer numbers as it approaches the five million customer milestone.

The 500 roles span customer-facing teams, claims, pricing, underwriting, commercial, data and technology. Hastings said it is looking for experienced professionals as well as talented graduates and apprentices, and will also invest significantly in training, development and promotions for its existing colleagues.

Recruitment will be nationwide, supported by the company's flexible working policy, with a focus on its core sites in Bexhill and Leicester as well as its offices in London and Gibraltar. Candidates can explore current opportunities and register for future vacancies through the Hastings Direct careers channels.

Chief executive Toby van der Meer said the company is investing heavily in technology and artificial intelligence while continuing to invest in talented people. He said the aim is to grow efficiently, with customer numbers increasing faster than headcount as the benefits of digitalisation, automation and greater scale are realised.

Hastings pointed to its recognition as the UK's number one Best Big Company to Work For for the last two years running, and said it is looking for people who want to make an impact and build skills in a digital, data-driven business. The hiring sits alongside continued large-scale investment in its technology, mobile app and AI, which the company says will help unlock its next phase of customer growth.

[Source: hastingsdirectcareers.com](https://www.hastingsdirectcareers.com/inside-hastings/hastings-direct-hire-500-new-colleagues) | [Source: postonline.co.uk](https://www.postonline.co.uk/personal/7961424/hastings-direct-to-bring-in-500-new-roles)