In a strategic move to bolster support for its female workforce, Acorn Group, the Formby-based specialist insurance provider, has launched an internal network named DRVN. The initiative, timed ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, is designed to foster career growth, enhance wellbeing, and provide guidance through key life milestones for women across the organisation.
Acorn Group, which specialises in non-standard car, van, taxi, and household insurance, developed the “Women driving change” network in direct response to feedback from its female staff. The programme will deliver structured mentoring, leadership development pathways, and targeted health and wellbeing sessions.
Beyond professional development, DRVN offers practical support for major life events, including starting a family, purchasing a home, and navigating financial planning during maternity leave. This holistic approach aims to address both the career and personal dimensions of employees’ lives.
Three Pillars of the DRVN Network
The network’s activities are centred on three core workstreams. The first is a dedicated wellness programme featuring workshops and open discussions on women’s health topics such as hormonal health, reproductive wellbeing, and menopause, complemented by sessions on building emotional resilience.
A second stream focuses on career inspiration, creating forums where leaders from within Acorn and the broader financial services sector share candid insights about career challenges, pivotal decisions, and professional setbacks.
The third pillar establishes formal, one-to-one mentoring opportunities, delivered in partnership with Acorn’s Learning and Development team. This aims to institutionalise mentoring support and create clear development trajectories for participants.
Recognition and Strategic Alignment
The launch follows Acorn Group’s recent accreditation as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women in 2025. This recognition, which highlights employers with exemplary policies for gender equality and career progression, underscores the company’s existing commitment.
DRVN will be introduced formally via a premiere podcast event, engaging employees and allies company-wide to discuss the interconnected themes of career development, life stages, and women’s health.
Miruna Constantinescu, Customer & Marketing Director at Acorn, emphasised the strategic importance of the network: “A high-performing business like ours is built on an open and inclusive culture where talented people can thrive. That approach is closely aligned with one of our core strategic priorities – ‘stay small to grow big’ – maintaining the close-knit, supportive environment that enables people to do their best work as the business continues to grow.
“DRVN has been created to complement that culture and support the many high-performing women across our organisation. By creating more opportunities for connection, mentorship and development, the network helps ensure that talent continues to grow with the business.
“Ultimately, when people feel supported and empowered to succeed, it strengthens the organisation as a whole.”
Acorn Group’s expansion in transport-related insurance lines, including its significant presence in the UK taxi and private hire market, makes fostering a diverse and supported workforce a critical component of its long-term business resilience and growth strategy.
Image Credit: www.taxi-point.co.uk
