The new director general of the CBI paid a flying visit to the offices of a Birmingham healthcare insurance provider yesterday during a whistle-stop tour of the city.
At BHSF in Edgbaston, Richard Lambert talked to those taking part in the company's graduate development programme which combines in-depth project work with day-to-day duties across all departments and heard firsthand accounts of its CSR programme.
Peter Maskell, chief executive of BHSF, said: "It was useful to exchange views with Richard on major issues affecting business, particularly SMEs, and to see these on the CBI agenda."
The visit came on the same day as two other big players joined the BHSF team. The company will be supplying Premiership champions Chelsea and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic with employee benefits for their permanent and casual staffs.
Mike Hayes, HR manager at Celtic, said: "BHSF will provide a comprehensive package of employee benefits and support systems to Celtic colleagues, including an employee assistance programme and absence management tools. Importantly, they also offer good value for money."
Georgina Raeburn of Chelsea, said: "We looked at this long and hard and in the end, BHSF were able to combine a benefits booklet and web provision in a cost effective manner, supported by our brokers."
Brian Hall, sales and marketing director at BHSF, added: "It is terrific that we as a not-for-profit provider can satisfy these two demanding worldwide brands."
BHSF is a leading supplier of health and employee benefits to 2,900 client companies and on an individual basis.
The company covers a total of 380,000 people under its 230,000 health insurance policies. Group turnover is £28 million.
Its origins can be traced back to the foundation of the Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund in 1873.
