Social Impact

Our Goal

Supporting and empowering our people
Protecting our planet through sustainable practices
Committed to being a socially responsible organisation

Our Purpose

As part of the Markerstudy Group, Hughes is proud to embrace a shared commitment to sustainable and profitable growth. We nurture differences, embrace change, and seek every opportunity to build a legacy for the future. Our goal is to embed sustainability into our culture — driving unity, equality, and empowering colleagues to make a real difference through fundraising, giving back, and inspiring positive change within our communities.

Our Partnerships

Cancer Research UK

Our charity partner for 2025. Pioneering cancer research since 1902, Cancer Research aim to discover, detect, prevent and treat cancer. This is made possible through the fundraising efforts and public support generated by raising awareness and securing essential funds for research across the UK.

Cancer Focus NI

A cause very close to our hearts and our community. Cancer Focus NI relies on £4.4million annually through fundraising in order to continue their pioneering research with Queens University, Belfast and to continue to provide vital cancer support services for men, women and children in Northern Ireland.

£15k

£15k awarded to charities requested by our staff

5,000

Encouraged 5,000 households across Northern Ireland to Let Nature In in partnership with Ulster Wildlife

250,000

Funded the harvesting of over 250,000 native seeds in partnership with The Conservation Volunteers

50%

Reducing our Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 50% by 2030

Our Sustainability Approach

in partnership with Markerstudy Group

Our People

Making a positive difference to our local communities by inspiring colleagues to make a personal difference through fundraising and giving back to good causes.

By 2028 Markerstudy Group aim to:

Donate £200,000 per year to good causes
Complete £50,000 volunteering hours

Social Inclusion and Wellbeing

At Hughes and across the wider Markerstudy Group, our shared commitment is to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where every individual feels a true sense of belonging. We champion social inclusion and wellbeing by embracing and celebrating people from all walks of life. Through our focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging (DEI&B), and wellbeing, we empower colleagues to use their voice, nurture meaningful social connections, and collaborate across teams—enabling everyone to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community.

Empowered Communities

We’re proud of the contributions our colleagues have made to communities and to our chosen charities. Our charity partners include Cancer Research, Cancer Focus and Bangor Foodbank.

We encourage our colleagues to take their volunteering day, participate in fundraising activities such as our annual charity challenge, Mary Peters Corporate Games, Business in the Community/Cancer Focus Charity Shop Challenge and many more.

Motiv8

We’re proud that our colleagues in the Hughes division of the Markerstudy Group play an active role in supporting good causes and charities, with financial donations made in response to the causes that matter most to them.

Our Planet

We’re committed to tackling climate change and reducing the impact we have on our planet.

Neutralise through decarbonisation

Reduce CO2 by half by 2030

Achieve Net Zero by 2045

Climate change is a global crisis with serious and growing consequences. Without collective action, its impact will continue to intensify.

The UK, along with other leading nations, has pledged to significantly reduce emissions and reach Net Zero by 2050.

At Hughes Insurance & Markerstudy, we are fully committed to this goal. As we work to decarbonise our operations, we are also actively offsetting our emissions by supporting global projects that reduce, remove, or prevent the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Creating a more sustainable ecosystem

Through collaboration with our suppliers, we share the responsibility of building a more sustainable, ethical, and responsible business ecosystem - driving positive change within our organisation and across the communities we serve. Find out more here

Net Zero Heros

Our Net Zero Heroes inspire and empower colleagues by sharing best practices, providing guidance, and developing practical toolkits to help everyone understand how they can play a part in our journey to Net Zero.

Our Responsbility

We’re committed to being a responsible business, embedding sustainability into our culture and driving change for good.

Our Focus

Markerstudy Group are committed to running a responsible business underpinned by strong governance, ethical standards, transparent decision-making, and clear reporting. We also actively encourage our suppliers to align with our sustainability goals and share in our purpose to create lasting, positive impact. You can view all reporting here.

Focus 4

This year, we're proud to be part of Markerstudy Group's Focus 4 initiative, which addresses a key global issue each quarter through staff involvement in charity work and fundraising. The campaign fosters community, equality, and drives positive change, aligning with our UN Sustainability Goals and Responsibility agenda. It encourages teamwork, volunteering, and fundraising to make a meaningful impact.