In this special Unplugged edition of the Different Hats Podcast, I dive into one of the most urgent questions facing UK business owners in 2025:

How do you retain great people without breaking the bank?

Amid soaring employment costs and rising redundancies, smart business leaders are exploring creative solutions. One powerful tool? Salary sacrifice car schemes. But what are they really, and how can they help both your people and your bottom line?

Joined by three expert guests, Sarah May (HR strategist), Chris Barnard (finance guru), and Warren Keech (salary sacrifice specialist at RiverVale), this episode breaks down how salary sacrifice works, who it benefits, and how it can help build a purpose-driven culture that attracts and keeps top talent.

Packed with practical insights, real-world examples, and financial clarity, this conversation is a must-listen for business owners, HR leaders, and anyone navigating recruitment and retention in today’s challenging climate.

✅ Reduce payroll costs

✅ Support employee wellbeing

✅ Retain talent

✅ Promote sustainability

✅ Save money for your business

📌 KEY CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

02:20 - Why Employees Feel Undervalued Today

04:00 - Wellbeing Beyond Wages: Gen Z Expectations

06:45 - Creating a Competitive Benefits Package

09:30 - The Hidden Cost of Losing a Team Member

11:00 - Culture, Trust & Retention

15:35 - What is Salary Sacrifice?

17:00 - Employer & Employee Tax Savings Explained

21:10 - Who Can Benefit from Salary Exchange?

23:00 - Pitfalls & Credit Considerations for Employers

25:20 - Electric vs Hybrid Cars: Tax & Sustainability

29:40 - Why Offering an EV Scheme Increases Retention

32:45 - The ESG & CSR Advantage

36:00 - Hire Purchase vs Business Lease Explained

41:00 - How to Introduce a Salary Exchange Scheme

44:20 - Answering Employee Concerns with Clarity

48:15 - Benefits Beyond Cars: Pensions, Health, and More

51:30 - Solo Directors & Tax-Efficient EV Strategies

53:05 - Final Takeaways: Pick n’ Mix Benefits That Work

🎧 LISTEN IF YOU WANT TO LEARN:

• How to save money through smart employee benefits
• The power of values-led retention strategies
• What salary sacrifice schemes actually mean
• How to offer EV car benefits without the risk
• The importance of wellbeing, trust & financial literacy in today’s job market

🔗 Brought to you in partnership with RiverVale

Find out more: https://www.rivervale.co.uk/

Connect with out experts:

Sarah May - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-maydayhr/

https://www.maydayhr.com/

Chris Barnard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-barnard-b4642968/

https://www.collectiveconceptsaccounting.com/

🎬 Produced by H2 Productions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.