Our timeline

Since 1872, we’ve been building a sustainable business that helps our customers, communities and colleagues to thrive.

150 years of never standing still

We continuously look for ways to improve our positive social and environmental impact.

Two people making a heart shape with their hands

Our journey to greater sustainability

We have a long and proud history of delivering on our commitment to our Purpose. Maximising our positive social and environmental impact has been a priority for us for over 150 years.

In recent times, there has been a sharper focus on the role businesses play in tackling the big social and environmental challenges facing the world.

At Simplyhealth, we recognise we have an important part to play and we always welcome new guidance and regulation to help all business step up.

In 2022, for the first time, we invested in a dedicated ESG team, to accelerate our own positive impact and challenge ourselves to always go further.

In the same year, we were particularly proud to become the UK’s first B Corp Health Insurer, in recognition of meeting the highest standards of social and environmental impact, joining 1000 other UK businesses.

This marks a great achievement for Simplyhealth and recognises our ambitious environmental and social responsibility goals for the future.

Our progress over the last three years

Over the last three years, we’ve been investing and laying the right foundations to deliver on our ambitious sustainability goals.

Take a look back through some of our more recent steps towards greater sustainability.

2019

February: Customer Voice launched – our customer listening programme

April: Compliance Hub launched – helping us to track how we are doing the right thing

April: Upgraded cycle racks at offices to encourage colleagues to cycle more

June: Chatterbox Survey launched – our colleague listening programme

September: 100% green and renewable electricity in offices

November: Electric car charging points installed in office car parks

2020

Daughter on father's shoulders surrounded by trees

February: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) First Accredited – all paper now used from sustainable sources

March: SimplyConsult – 24/7 video GP launches improving access to healthcare, and the first network of 50 trained Mental Health First Aiders is created

April: £2m PPE provided to dentists during the pandemic – helping practices to open their doors

May: First awarded Carbon Neutral status – because we reduced and balance our carbon emissions

July: Coronavirus Antibody Tests launched – to help customers understand their immunity

September: Investment in our new Energise You Health & Wellbeing Programme for colleagues

November: Closed Winchester office building – to reduce our carbon footprint and move to Smart Working

2021

March: Our refreshed Healthier Sustainability Strategy launched – setting new goals for the future, and first awarded Carbon Neutral Plus status – because we reduced and balanced, over and above our own carbon emissions

July: New Smart Working approach for colleagues – providing greater flexibility for all

November: Offices were renovated using tiles made from 100% green energy, and LED lighting & waterless urinals in the office – helping to reduce water waste and carbon emissions

December: 80% of fleet vehicles are now hybrid – helping to reduce our carbon emissions, and zero operational waste to landfill – helping to reduce our negative impact on the environment

2022

Person taking photo on smart phone at B Corp celebration event

January: £9m profits returned to customers – as part of a £18m total Covid support package

February: Data Centre moved offsite – helping to reduce cost, protect customer systems/service and reduce carbon emissions

March: Riskonnect launched – helping us to track and manage risks facing our business and stakeholders

March - We donated £120k from £60k matched funding to DEC, to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine

July: We become the UK’s first B-Corp Health Insurer – meeting the highest standards of impact

August: Simplyhealth’s first digital-only 1-2-3 product launched – helping more people access healthcare

November: Cost of Living colleague support package – including uplifting salaries to London Living Wage, achieved Top 5 ‘Fastest Payer’ (Good Business Pays Awards) – because we support our suppliers, paying at speed, and undertook groundworks at our Head Office - increasing biodiversity within grounds

2023

Child throwing a globe in the air surrounded by wintery trees

January: Pausing the use of our Hambleden House office to reduce costs and reduce our carbon emissions

March - Simplyhealth customers and dentists, raised over £21.5k for the DEC’s Turkey/Syria earthquake fund - the total donation was matched by us to raise over £43,000 for the charity

June – Simplyhealth’s first Customer Financial Hardship fund to support financially vulnerable customers

July – First B Impact Report published, an annual report to show our continued commitment to the B Corp movement

Watch this space for more exciting sustainability updates!

Want to find out more?

To learn more about sustainability progress, our goals for the future and the next steps, please email our ESG team by contacting [email protected] .

You can also stay up to date by following us on our social channels for all the latest updates, stories and news relating to our sustainability progress.