With seven offices across Chester, Leeds, London, the Midlands, Newport, Scotland and Stockport, we’re amongst the largest independent insurance brokers in the northwest and the UK. Naturally, the Covid-19 pandemic forced businesses all over the world to adapt and where possible, adopt a work-from-home approach. C&C was no different.
Post-pandemic, there has been a continued demand for working from home, whilst businesses have also maintained the provision of office space enabling face-to-face meetings and team collaboration to take place. This more agile way of working has many upsides, although it’s also become very apparent – across all sectors – that minimal time in the office can also engender feelings of isolation in some employees, which can hinder that all-powerful thing: company culture.
In Sweden, traditionally there is a FIKA – a mid-morning and afternoon coffee break where every employee, regardless of position, gathers to share a drink break with their colleagues. They don’t necessarily talk about work projects, but it’s an opportunity for a companywide connection where bonds and culture are built and reinforced.
Whilst the UK doesn’t have anything so defined, bumping into colleagues at the coffee machine or water cooler has long been accepted as integral to forming positive connections in the working environment, and some of this has become diluted post-pandemic.
At C&C, we facilitate working from home for those who embrace it but there are others who actively want to come into the office. We recognise the importance of our people being able to meet with each other and their clients, and we want to make this as easy as possible.
Although we’re headquartered in Stockport and the majority of our staff are theoretically based at that office, we recognise that our team travels from all directions to get there. Couple that with an ever-growing client base, (mainly as a result of referrals) in the Alderley Edge, Prestbury and Wilmslow areas, and it made sense to open a satellite office in the heart of Alderley Edge. It’s in a brilliantly accessible location and will allow employees coming from the south and west easier access to C&C office facilities, as well as providing a more convenient meeting point for our rapidly expanding portfolio of Cheshire clients.
We’re planning a full refurb of the building which is already underway. Despite it only being early days, it’s proving a great addition, with many clients and colleagues already using it as a meeting venue or work hub.
Likewise, we’re looking to acquire space in Manchester city centre in the near future, which will allow employees already based in the city or north of it, the opportunity to work together or meet with clients, without having to travel across the whole of Greater Manchester. A big win for staff and new recruits, as well as the environment!
These two additional hubs will mean a strengthening of presence in our heartland and even more opportunities to better service businesses looking for insurance brokers in the northwest, Manchester and Cheshire.
Fika-time!
