Press release 2 April 2019.

Care first is the latest Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider to join GRiD, the group risk industry body that promotes the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, supporting wellbeing and improving employee engagement.

Care first’s bespoke approach to the EAP market means that it tailors its solutions according to the needs of each different market and individual organisations, making continual developments. And, as EAPs are becoming increasingly integral to group risk products, the closer the company is aligned to the industry the better. The more that insurers, advisers and suppliers work together, the better for the client.

Commenting on the decision to join GRiD, Karl Bennett, Business Development Director, Care first, said: “Care first’s membership of GRiD gives us the opportunity to guide, advise and have an input into how our services are used and promoted within the group risk market. EAPs have come a long way, for instance with digital innovations and interactive preventative health management, and we’re keen to see how best to align these with the group risk offering to ensure the benefits are on point and well utilised.”

“We’re also particularly keen to explore how opportunities are arising with the emerging mental health market, allowing us to add genuine value to those requiring our services.”

Karl Bennett is also on the board of the EAP Association and so membership of GRiD will enable him to inform industry leaders there on the future of EAPs within the group risk market.

Steve Bridger, chairman of GRiD said: “We’re delighted to add Care first to the membership as they also bring a wealth of digital know-how to the group, being the first EAP to launch a clinically validated app.

“As GRiD itself grows, the benefits of being a member also grow exponentially with more comprehensive access to the leaders in the fields of various product groups and organisation types, including advisers, providers and reinsurers. This can only add weight to our discussions, research and output in providing a far-reaching resource for our members, and a cohesive, collective voice externally.”

For more information on joining please see: GRiD

• Ends -

For further information please contact:

Sharon Mason 
SMUK Marketing and PR
smason@smuk.org.uk 
Mob: 07747 611773
Land: 01252 843350

Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Mob: 07887 512508

Notes for editors

About GRiD

Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk protection sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their wellbeing and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries who have a collective wealth of experience built over years of operating in the group risk protection market. Under the chairmanship of Steve Bridger (MD Group Protection, Corporate, Aviva UK Insurance) GRiD aims to promote group risk through a collective voice to Government, policymakers, stakeholders and employers.

GRiD works with government departments and regulators involved in legislation and regulation affecting group risk benefits, and with other organisations involved in the benefits and financial protection arenas. GRiD also seeks to enhance the industry's standing by encouraging best practice and by participating in industry-wide initiatives such as the professional qualification in group risk managed jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute.

GRiD’s media activity aims to generate a wider awareness and understanding of group risk products and their benefits for employers and employees.

GRiD's dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, provides expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.

www.grouprisk.org.uk

Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham