LeasePlan has launched a car salary sacrifice scheme for Danone, which has so far achieved an 82% engagement rate as a result of sending tailored communications explaining the benefits of the scheme to more than 1,000 Danone employees.

The new scheme, which launched in September, has been developed to support attraction and retention at Danone UK. The firm also hopes that this scheme will build on the business’ reputation as one of the top 20 Great Places to Work, and to ensure that its employee benefits package remains competitive.

This is the first time that the organisation has offered cars via a salary sacrifice arrangement and it sits alongside Danone’s existing company car plan.

The new initiative is available to all permanent UK employees, including the firm’s 350 dedicated car drivers, providing them with access to an efficient vehicle for their personal use.

The success of the scheme is attributed to the range of communication methods used to highlight the new scheme to staff, including tailored email communications, posters, desk drops, television screens and prominence on the company’s intranet site.

LeasePlan has also showcased the cars available through on-site road shows, with specialists on hand to answer any questions staff had about the scheme.

Sharon Richardson, general manager of salary sacrifice for LeasePlan UK, said: “When a salary sacrifice for car scheme is implemented correctly, with tailored employee communications, it demonstrates just how successful they can be. Employees and potential employees are attracted by this exciting additional benefit. Being able to drive a new car without having to worry about deposits, credit checks or day-to-day maintenance is a real draw.

“We have worked closely with Danone to ensure that the whole experience is convenient for their employees, and we are confident that the business will see real added benefits for staff members as a result.”

Sarah Mills, the science innovation manager at Danone, was the first beneficiary of the new salary sacrifice scheme, taking delivery of her new car within the first two weeks of the scheme launch.

Speaking about her experience so far, Mills said: “The car scheme is an amazing addition to Danone’s employee benefits offering, and gives excellent value and choice for those employees who are not entitled to a company car. The added benefit of 0% deposit, and an 'all-inclusive' package of insurance and road breakdown cover amongst others, means that the whole experience is seamless and stress-free."

John Mayor, head of UK rewards at Danone, said: “We are hugely proud of the salary sacrifice for car scheme and the benefits that it provides for our employees. Together with LeasePlan, we are in a great position to negotiate the best rates for our employees, ensuring that they have access to the vehicles that best suit their needs, in terms of both style and cost.

“We know that our employees are all busy people, so we have also worked hard to ensure that the all-inclusive package means that the whole process is as stress-free as possible.”