ONE of the city’s biggest employers is celebrating one year since its merger with a 60 per cent boost in sales and a recruitment drive.

OneFamily, based in West Street, Brighton, was formed when Family Investments and Engage Mutual joined forces last year to create the biggest mutual in the UK.

The company’s annual results show product sales increased by 60 per cent compared to 2014.

Currently employing more than 500 people, OneFamily plans to recruit 30 new staff over the next few months.

Providing financial services to families, it has nearly two million members and serves around one in 12 families across the UK.

With more than a quarter of the UK population believing plc banks and other big players are not serving their needs, OneFamily is owned by customers, with profits going back into the business.

OneFamily has also partnered with City College Brighton and will be recruiting apprentices from the college to join the company this year, with further apprentice places planned for 2017.

OneFamily chief executive Simon Markey said: “These financial results show how we are growing as a business through improved efficiencies and new business sales.

“OneFamily is a mutual, owned by customer and not shareholders, which means our profits go back into the business so we can continue to develop and improve the products and services for our customers.

“Our results show that putting our customers first and building a business around their needs, not those of shareholders, can deliver both happier customers and commercial success.”

In addition to increased sales and growth over the past 12 months, the company has also set up the OneFamily Foundation, where members along with their families, friends and local communities have already benefited from more than half a million pounds paid to them through Personal Grants and Community Awards.

OneFamily aspires to make £5 million available to members through the OneFamily Foundation over five years both in Brighton and across the UK as a whole.