How Can a Business Stay True?
I have been reflecting this week on the first half of the year. This reflection stemmed from getting out of the building and attending some inspiring conferences.
At Pentagon Assurance, looking after people and place isn’t just something we say — it’s how we show up every day. South Tyneside is our patch. Most of us live here, raise our families here, and want it to thrive — so we do our bit to make it a healthier, happier place for our team, our clients, and our neighbours.
We’ve always said no one should have to leave South Tyneside to build a good career. There’s so much talent here — and we’d rather grow it than watch it drift away. So, when we need someone new, we look local first.
It’s also been interesting to hear North East Mayor Kim McGuinness speaking at roadshows lately. The mayor said:
“I’ve seen first-hand the incredible job work teachers and schools are doing, not just to educate our young people, but go the extra mile to support their life chances”.
As employers we can also play our part in ensuring our next generations are given the best chance possible. We can ensure the North East becomes the home of real opportunity.
Wellbeing That Fits Real Life
A job’s important — but feeling OK in yourself matters just as much. We try to make sure mental health and wellbeing aren’t just policy words, but part of daily life.
Sometimes it’s the little things: flexible hours that work around the school run, simple tools to help people check in with themselves, or making time for a walk along the coast when your head’s full. Our newer office space helps too — calm, flexible, welcoming, and built for how people really work these days.
Doing Our Bit for Our Borough
It’s not enough for us just to work here — we want to pitch in and look after it too. That’s why we’re proud to be sponsoring the Love South Tyneside Awards Environmental Award for the second year running. Last year, the brilliant Hebburn Litter Pickers took the trophy and inspired us to get our own hands dirty.
Now we run our Filthy Friday litter picks at The Nook and Temple Park — nothing fancy, just neighbours, bin bags, a quick tidy-up, and maybe a pint afterwards. It’s amazing what an hour outside does for your patch — and for your mood.
Small Steps for a Greener Future
We know looking after the environment doesn’t stop with picking up crisp packets. It’s the everyday choices too. We’ve set ourselves the big ambition of becoming net negative on carbon — and while we’re not there yet, we’re working at it step by step.
Sometimes that means small, smarter choices — like taking public transport instead of the car. I recently shared on LinkedIn how I travelled from London door to door by train and metro instead of driving: same cost, 90% less CO₂. A bit more planning, but a lot less carbon. It all adds up.
Learning and Growing, Together
Doing business responsibly also means never standing still. That’s why I was proud to graduate this year from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
That journey was about more than just scaling up — it’s helping us think about how to future-proof Pentagon Assurance in a way that stays true to our local roots and people-first approach. Better still, it’s brought new friendships, fresh ideas and even more ways to do business the right way.
More Than Just a Badge
We’re proud to be signed up to the South Tyneside Pledge and part of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses (ORB) too — but for us, that’s just about putting a name to what we try to do anyway: hire local, spend local, take care of each other and the place we call home.
When we won the Customer Service Award at Business Unite, it reminded us that looking after your people means they look after your clients — and together, you help the whole community thrive.
Here’s to More
So here’s to more local jobs. More young people getting a foot in the door. More real conversations about how we’re feeling. More smart choices that cut carbon. And hopefully, a bit less litter on our streets.
We’re proud to be part of South Tyneside — and we’re just getting started.