We have a very strong commitment to charities, the local community and the environment. Our policy is to:

• Support local community projects through the direct involvement of employees
• Encourage employees to seek new ways to support charitable and environmental causes, both individually and collectively
• Respond swiftly to humanitarian crises (for example, providing aid to earthquake victims)
• Provide corporate donations of cash or time to selective welfare organisations and charitable bodies
• Organise specific fund-raising activities to supplement corporate donations

We grant every employee up to three days of paid leave a year to volunteer on community projects, and we are a member of The Lloyd’s Community Programme. This promotes involvement in the Lloyd’s community and helps improve the opportunities and living conditions of people in Tower Hamlets and neighbouring London boroughs.

Markel International supports The Prince's Trust, and in recent years our staff has been involved in charity challenges in Namibia and Costa Rica, raising more than £64,000 for the trust. Markel (UK) Ltd supports the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.