Insurance may not sound like the most exciting of trades, but staff are thrilled to work at JLT Risk Solutions, part of the UK's largest broker. The London-based firm designs insurance plans for businesses including shipping and property, and also insures against crises such as kidnapping. Another area is reinsurance — helping other insurance companies to spread the risk of providing cover. The rewards are excellent: the company performed well over the past two years, and every employee was given £1,500 in shares. There is a flexible benefit scheme called Choices, which offers options such as medical insurance, holidays to be bought or sold for their equivalent in cash, health screens, financial services and gym discounts. Reflexology is offered at the three sites, and there is a health day of talks and gifts each year, together with a range of company athletics clubs. JLT is launching a new bonus scheme to compensate an employee's family when work infringes on home life. New parents benefit from a 15% bonus for mothers returning to work, and 65 days' unpaid leave for adoptive parents. Training is good, with careers advice for new recruits, senior managers' courses and Client Gateways, a tailored three-day course for high-potential employees which includes exercises such as racing a 35ft yacht in the Solent. The training department has a £480,000 budget for 2002 and gives about 15 hours a year to each member of staff. Those who pass insurance qualifications are paid £300 for each of the 10 stages, plus £2,000 for completing them all. The company bar is used to help staff celebrate with family Christmas parties, and theme nights. There is a summer ball and, last year, fireworks launched from a barge on the Thames. There are also clubs for travel, film, theatre, wine and football. Charity work is encouraged, with 35 paid hours annually for voluntary work and a partnership with a nearby primary school.