For Sarah Cox, Managing Director of Ansvar, doing the right thing is just how business should be done.

Having worked for major names in insurance, Cox found her perfect fit when she joined the Benefact Group 15 years ago and became managing director of Ansvar six years ago. “We’re a commercial organisation, but our ‘shareholders’ are charities,” she explains. “When you’re working hard every day knowing your success directly benefits charitable causes, it’s incredibly empowering.”

A culture of giving

This year, the Benefact Group hit a milestone of £250m in donations to good causes, making it the third-largest corporate donor to charities in the UK. That’s quite something, given that there are over five million companies.

When asked about what it means to reach this milestone, Mark Hews, group chief executive of the Benefact Group says: “We’re incredibly proud to have reached the £250m milestone but it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the life-changing impact that those donations have on people and communities. It’s incredibly moving to see. Unlike others, we’ve always been driven by giving money away, rather than making it. And while £250m is a huge achievement, when you see the needs of the charity sector, it’s still not enough. We need to do more.”

The growth of the business has enabled the Benefact Group to support so many good causes, but Hews describes their success as really being down to “an incredible team of people all aligned behind a charitable purpose. We want to grow so that we can give more away. It’s what drives and inspires us.”

As well as supporting charities across the UK through donations and their Movement for Good programme, staff are always encouraged to support charities on a voluntary basis too.

Cox serves as a trustee for a local charity that runs several care homes. This is a role that allows her to use her professional expertise while staying close to the charities Ansvar supports. “It’s incredibly rewarding,” she says. “I visit care homes, spend time with residents and support the CEO and her team. It’s about giving back while gaining insight into our customers’ needs.”

That spirit of giving is reflected across the organisation. Ansvar’s Brighton office is home to its Community Hub, which offers free office and meeting space to local charities. “They always ask how much the rent is,” Cox laughs. “We tell them it’s nothing and there’s even free tea and coffee.”

The Hub also hosts training sessions and networking events for charities, covering topics such as measuring impact, preventing burnout and supporting staff wellbeing. “It’s great to see these organisations, big and small, helping each other,” she says. “We wanted to create a space where collaboration can flourish.”

Beyond insurance

Ansvar’s support for charities goes far beyond underwriting policies. The company also donates to three charities over a three-year cycle, through its Programme of Giving initiative. “We chose three years deliberately,” Cox explains. “It gives charities time to complete their projects, whether that’s opening a new café or expanding their existing services, and ensures we can see real impact.”

Employees are also encouraged to volunteer their skills. “Charities don’t always need us to paint fences,” Cox says. “They need help with strategy, fundraising applications or business insights. Our people can offer that.”

Charities are incredibly resilient

Ansvar’s relationship with the charity sector is central to its identity. “We operate in the third sector — that’s who we insure and where we belong,” says Cox. “Our goal is to keep listening, adapting and supporting charities as their needs evolve.”

She acknowledges the current challenges facing the sector, from rising costs to closures, but remains optimistic. “It’s a worry for society, but charities are incredibly resilient. Where there’s a need, there will always be people with the drive to help.”

Cox points to the creativity and determination she’s witnessed through initiatives such as the Third Sector Awards. “I was a judge during COVID-19, and I was blown away by how quickly charities adapted — food banks turning into delivery services overnight. That’s the spirit of the sector.”

For Cox, that spirit of resilience, compassion and doing the right thing is what makes her proud to lead Ansvar. “After 37 years in insurance, I’ve seen a lot of change. But one thing stays the same: when you combine professionalism with purpose, everyone benefits.”

The future is bright

Ethics and trust are at the heart of the Benefact Group, which Ansvar is a part of. “We describe ourselves as the most trusted and most ethical insurer,” Cox says. “That’s not just how we deal with customers, but how we treat each other internally too. Every decision comes back to the same question: is it the right thing to do?”

This sense of purpose has attracted like-minded employees who share a desire to make a difference. “It’s absolutely unique in our industry,” Cox says. “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

When asked about the future of the Benefact Group, Hews believes the future is bright. “The next generation is so passionate about doing good in the world. With our clear, exciting purpose of helping charities, we will appeal to them as a world class place to work. We provide life-changing careers that change lives. And everything we do is only made possible thanks to our clients, supporters and charities.”

With their ongoing support, and by helping Ansvar grow, he hopes to build a Movement for Good.