Employee engagement

Background

Howden Insurance Group is one of the UK’s largest employee-owned businesses. It provides insurance solutions around the world, with approx. 21,000 employees and around £42 billion in premiums.

Big Button has partnered with Howden for several years on employee engagement video content. Campaigns include the annual All Employee global conference, All of Us, the Good News Show and recently, promotional content for the British & Irish Lions sponsorship.

The films are wide-ranging, from documentaries to animations and event kick-offs. We also support their internal video team and work collaboratively with their creative design studio to ensure every film is pitch perfect for their people, goals, and brand.

The challenge

Harry didn’t realise the enormous scale of the potential disaster until he spoke to the UN. The FSO Safer, a super tanker moored in the Red Sea, had fallen into disrepair during the Yemen conflict. With 1.1 million barrels of oil at risk of spilling into the ocean, the consequences could have been catastrophic — both environmentally and socially. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) turned to Howden to structure an insurance deal for the oil transfer — unprecedented territory for both sides.

The approach

Guided by their four brand truths — People-first, a force for good, no limits, and collective power — Howden stepped up to the challenge. The FSO Safer story embodies all four values, requiring global collaboration to prevent disaster on a vast scale. To bring the story to life, we filmed with Harry in Fowey, Cornwall, and worked with the UN film unit to integrate real footage from the transfer operation.

The outcome

The deal enabled the safe transfer of the oil, averting catastrophe. The film premiered at Howden’s senior leadership conference, features on the careers page, and was part of the flagship content for the Group’s rebrand. It’s won multiple awards, but ultimately it has helped position Howden as an innovator tackling global risks head-on.