Bermuda-based insurer Lancashire Holdings Ltd. officially opened its swish new offices in the Power House this week.

With natural light pouring into every room, management is hoping the move along Par-la-Ville Road from its previous home in Mintflower Place will boost the mood of the company's approximately 40 Bermuda-based employees.

Greg Lunn, chief executive officer of Lancashire Insurance Company Ltd., the group's Bermuda operating platform, said: "This is a major move for us and it establishes our presence in Bermuda in a very dramatic way.

"We had outgrown our former home and moving in here has significantly boosted morale among our employees."

Lancashire moved into its new premises on the fifth and sixth floors of the Power House in late December, but the ribbon-cutting to mark the official opening took place on Monday evening. Group CEO Richard Brindle flew in for the occasion.

From a glance around Lancashire's new home, it's immediately apparent that this is a staff-friendly environment.

Most employees work in what is very much an open-plan office. There are no cubicles, although Mr. Lunn and chief financial officer Neil McConachie have glass-fronted offices. Formal business wear is not required.

There are a selection of meeting rooms of different sizes, each with a Bermuda-themed name — for example Gombey and Triangle — all equipped with state-of-the-art video-conferencing equipment.

A gleaming new cafeteria with a view over Hamilton gives the employees a nice spot for lunch and there are lockers where staff can keep their gym clothes or rain gear, as well as showers.

There's also a room where employees can grab some respite during a long work day, fitted with a pool table and giant flat-screen television.

It's an environment that certainly makes the prospect of a late night at work seem more appealing than the typical office.

"Our philosophy is 'work hard, play hard'," Mr. Lunn said.

Lancashire employs around 100 people, including more than 50 in London and three in its Dubai office. In Bermuda, it has made efforts to employ locals.

Mr. Lunn, himself a Bermudian, who is the Group's general counsel, said: "There are great opportunities for Bermudians. We take training and staff development very seriously. We have Bermudian staff in management positions, including Dan Soares, who's the Group chief operating officer.

"It takes a long time to get into senior levels of management. You have to put the effort in and be prepared to measure yourself by international standards."

Mr. Brindle added: "We have put a lot of faith in our Bermudian employees and that's been repaid."

The company also takes pride in its charitable activities through the Lancashire Foundation, which has made contributions to several local charities including the Sunshine League and the Family Centre. It has also provided help elsewhere. After the Haiti earthquake, for example, Lancashire's employees raised $50,000 in the space of 48 hours — an amount matched by the company — to provide the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres with funds towards its response to the disaster.

Mr. Brindle said: "We work in the business of catastrophes, so I think it's only appropriate that we do what we can to help out in times of great need, such as the Haiti earthquake."

Lancashire's results for 2009 are due to be published on Friday.