Q&A with James River Insurance Company, a 2026 Top Workplace winner

James River Insurance Company is a winner in the annual Richmond-Times Dispatch Top Workplaces. Established in 2003, the company’s underwriting approach is characterized by a wide risk appetite and the ability to create insurance solutions for both low- and higher-hazard businesses that many other underwriters simply decline.  

Angie Burnett, senior vice president and chief human resources officer, shared what makes the business a good place to work.

What makes your business special?  

James River brings deep underwriting expertise to complex risks, supported by a culture that values trust, collaboration and voices. 

How has being named a Top Workplace for 2026 impacted your business internally? 

Being named a Top Workplace for 2026 reinforces our commitment to open communication and listening to our employees. The employee engagement survey provides a meaningful forum for employees to share their perspectives and delivers balanced, actionable insights that help us continue strengthening a culture where our people are our greatest asset. 

How do you plan on using the designation to recruit new talent? 

Our multi-year Top Workforce recognition strengthens our credibility both inside and outside the organization. For our employees, it’s a source of pride because the designation is based entirely on their feedback, reinforcing that their voices are heard and valued. For prospective candidates, it serves as a third-party validation that James River is an employer of choice in our local community, one that has consistently listened to employees.

What qualities do you believe make your business a Top Workplace? 

Our focus on culture, meaningful investment in our people and supportive leadership sets James River apart. Leaders across the organization recognize that employee well-being, growth and success are essential to the success of the business. Our culture is built through everyday actions that foster trust, collaboration and shared accountability. 

What are some things you have done internally to communicate about Top Workplaces to encourage participation across the organization? 

We communicate about the recognition through multiple channels to ensure employees understand both the purpose and the impact of participating. When we earn the designation, we share the news broadly across the organization, celebrate the achievement with our employees and provide Top Workplace badges that employees are encouraged to add to their email signatures. While the recognition is meaningful, our primary focus is on listening to our employees. Because the designation is based on our annual engagement survey, we emphasize that participation is an opportunity for employees to share honest feedback, helping us understand what we’re doing well and identify areas where we can continue to improve. 

From a workplace culture standpoint, what is something you are most proud of that you have implemented or something unique about your organization that others outside of your organization may not know that you would like them to know? 

We are especially proud of our employee‑led committees, which give employees the opportunity to directly shape our culture and workplace experience. These groups create a sense of ownership, encourage engagement and turn employee ideas into meaningful action. It’s a unique aspect of James River that reflects our belief that culture is built by our people and that everyone plays a role in creating a workplace we’re proud of. 

For more information, please visit jrvrgroup.com/james-river-insurance. 

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