WORKERS at the Ipswich office of a global insurance company are facing an uncertain future today after it was announced that 80 jobs would be cut.Willis, which employs about 1,330 people in the town, is axing most of those jobs from its IT department.
WORKERS at the Ipswich office of a global insurance company are facing an uncertain future today after it was announced that 80 jobs would be cut.
Willis, which employs about 1,330 people in the town, is axing most of those jobs from its IT department.
But at the same time the Friars Street company is also launching a recruitment drive and offering more jobs in different areas such as global operations and claims.
A spokeswoman for Willis, said: “We have started a consultation process in our Ipswich office that will likely lead to around 80 roles being made redundant over the next six to eight months.
“We are making economies of scale by centralising some of our IT functions.”
She explained that the insurance giant is planning to restructure its IT department so just 90 people will be working in the sector across Britain.
She added: “We will take the utmost care and effort with a career transition programme because we have very talented associates who will be highly marketable in the local area.”
This new blow to the town comes after massive jobs cuts were announced at Ipswich Hospital and Suffolk County Council and less than two years after Willis cut 20 Ipswich jobs and another insurance company, AXA, slashed 53 jobs.
The spokeswoman said the recent high-profile recruitment campaign “highlights our confidence and focus on Ipswich going forward.”
She added: “By gaining efficiencies in one area, we can reinvest in another part of our local business because we are very proud to be a valued member of the Ipswich community.”
She said it was hoped that some of the 80 people who were left without a job could retrain and take on other roles within the company and explained that the result of the consultation process would be announced in early July.
Weblink: www.willis.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here