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.”