Richmond National Insurance wins second place for midsize company Richmond National Insurance wins second place for midsize company

Year founded: 2021

Headquarters: Glen Allen, Virginia

Sector: Specialty insurance

Region employees: 205

Years on list: 4

I love my job because ...

"I am not just viewed as an employee; I'm seen as a human. The collaboration and "team" mentality is encouraging. Everyone celebrates each other's wins. This company is a great model of ... when you take care of your employees, the employees will take care of the company."

Richmond National Insurance is a specialty property and casualty insurance company that offers insurance to small and mid-size businesses who are unable to secure coverage in the standard insurance market. The company operates exclusively within the excess and surplus lines market, which gives their underwriters the flexibility to develop custom policies that best meet the needs of their customers.

Jamie Bock, SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer

What do you believe most contributed to your organization being recognized as a Top Workplace this year?

We're intentional about creating a workplace where employees feel supported and trusted. Leadership is transparent, communication goes both ways, and people know their voices matter. We also put a lot of focus on growth and well-being, giving employees opportunities to develop, offering flexibility and making sure they feel supported not just at work, but as people.

What's one initiative that has had the greatest impact on employee morale?

We focus on making employees feel valued in both big and small ways, from providing breakfasts every other Friday and offering a well-stocked break room to regularly catered Lunch and Learns. Those sessions bring in experts to talk about topics like financial planning, retirement, first-time homebuying and professional certifications, helping employees be successful at work and at home. That ongoing investment in our people has had a meaningful impact on morale and engagement.

With AI and automation reshaping many industries, how are you helping employees feel prepared and be assured they will not be replaced by emerging technology?

As technology continues to evolve, our focus is on helping employees see AI and automation as tools that support their work rather than replace it. We invest heavily in technology to ensure our employees have access to the best technology available, giving them the tools they need to succeed. Across our organization, we have prioritized finding opportunities to augment time-consuming and repetitive tasks. This allows our employees to focus on higher-value strategy and creativity and provides learning opportunities so employees can build confidence and new skills along the way.

As organizations refine hybrid and in-office expectations, how are you balancing flexibility with maintaining culture and collaboration?

We are fully in the office, and we've seen strong collaboration and connection as a result. Being together helps teams work more effectively and reinforces our culture. At the same time, we recognize the importance of work-life balance and encourage healthy boundaries so employees can stay engaged and supported both at work and at home.

How does being based in the Richmond region influence your workplace culture?

Being based in the Richmond region has a meaningful influence on our culture. The area offers a strong E&S (excess and surplus lines) insurance market and a deep, experienced talent pool, which allows us to attract and grow high-quality professionals. Combined with Richmond's sense of community and collaboration, it creates a supportive, connected workplace and a shared pride in building something strong locally.

How do you encourage philanthropy and a connection to the Greater Richmond community among your employees?

Philanthropy and community connection are driven by our employees. From volunteering with organizations like Feed More and Fit4Kids, along with backpack drives for local schools, supporting the National MS Society and local youth sports, employees have meaningful ways to get involved and make an impact close to home.