Norwich Union axes jobs in shake-up

NORWICH Union, the insurance owned by the giant CGNU group, is cutting more than 300 jobs in a revamp of its call centre operation. The group is axing 750 jobs with the closure of 11 claims centres, but creating 425 jobs by expanding call centres elsewhere.

The moves are part of a restructuring due to be completed by the end of next year and designed to offer customers more specialist advice.

The claims centres to be closed are at Basildon, Bristol, Cheadle, Chelmsford, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Croydon, Leeds, Northampton, Luton and Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow. The centres being expanded are at Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester, Preston, Bradford, Cardiff, Dundee, Southend, Newcastle, Liverpool and Ipswich.

Norwich said it would attempt to find alternative employment for affected staff. Claims director Simon Machell said: 'We believe these changes give our remaining staff longer-term stability and the opportunity to develop specialist skills.'