Pros
In my experience, 1st Central is an excellent employer with a strong, people-focused culture. One of the things I value most is the emphasis on career development. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, grow and try new things. Since joining as a Senior Executive 18 months ago, I’ve completed industry-recognised leadership training through the Learning & Development team, which helped me progress into a lead position. The business genuinely embraces flexible working. Remote and hybrid options, along with condensed hours, are actively supported, making a real difference to work-life balance and helping to retain talent. There is also a strong social culture, with regular opportunities to connect with colleagues across locations, including Haywards Heath and Manchester. It creates a friendly, inclusive environment and makes it easy to build relationships beyond your immediate team.
Cons
There can sometimes be resistance to change in areas of the business, largely linked to long-established ways of working. This can mean that influencing and embedding new approaches takes more time and persistence. There have been some changes during my time here, including a company-wide restructure. While this naturally created uncertainty, the level of support provided to colleagues throughout reinforced that the business genuinely cares about its people. At times, decision-making at a senior level can feel fast-paced or sudden. However, this is understandable given the competitive and evolving nature of the insurance market, and there is a clear intention to keep the business moving forward.
