More than a hundred
AXA employees in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, are at risk of losing their jobs as the insurance giant aims to restructure its motor claims operations.
Kent News reported that the insurer is planning to relocate some 150 jobs to Birmingham after company bosses admitted difficulties in filling positions in Tunbridge Wells.
The report said the insurance firm has started consulting the union representing the employees regarding the proposed move.
“There is a large, existing and well-established motor claims operation in Birmingham and it is proposed that consolidating these teams in one site will ensure that AXA is able to deliver a more consistent service to its customers,” a spokesman for the insurer was quoted as saying by
Kent Live.
“If adopted, this change would impact around 150 employees. It would not affect the other teams based in the same office nor employees of AXA’s healthcare business in Tunbridge Wells,” the spokesman added.
The spokesman also said that the affected staff members were “not in highly technical roles.”
Lamenting AXA’s proposed move, Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark urged the insurer to help the employees who would be laid off.
“For those affected it will be a worrying time and I have asked the company to ensure that if the move does go ahead, it will do everything it can to help people find alternative jobs,” Clark was quoted as saying in a report by the
Times of Tunbridge Wells.
Councillor Jane March, Cabinet member with responsibility for economic development, also said: “I am very disappointed to hear there may be job losses in the town and understand how unsettling this will be for those whose jobs may be at risk.”
Related stories:
Swiss Re reducing presence in London?
Insurance law firm BLM announces job cuts
