Personal lines broker Be Wiser Insurance has admitted that some jobs are set to go as it gears up for what it describes as a ‘business reorganisation programme.’ The broker revealed that it has already started consultations with its 280 staff, which will result in some job losses. A full consultation process will begin shortly and last a month.
The number of roles at risk is not currently known and will be finalised at the end of the process, with those impacted working mainly in the back office and support functions. Jeff Brinley, who was appointed to his new role in January 2021, said that Be Wiser has had to act now to ensure it is in position to benefit from the anticipated economic revival later in the year.
“We need to reconfigure Be Wiser now so that we are ahead of the game and ready to make the most of market conditions when the market bounces back,” he said. “It’s never easy to take these difficult decisions that impact on our people, especially in such uncertain economic times.”
He noted that the brokerage will do everything it can to support impacted staff, and offer deployment opportunities wherever possible. Brinley said the pandemic has been “challenging” for Be Wiser and for UK broking in generally, particularly when it comes to motor. This environment has encouraged the business to accelerate its transformation plans, he said, and its top priority is to maintain its reputation for strong customer service and to strengthen customer operations going forward.
“The motor insurance market has been badly hit by this most recent series of restrictions. Our renewals business is holding up well, but new business across the market has been impacted by the fact that fewer people are driving,” Brinley said. “Re-configuring our business operation will enable us to protect ourselves today in order to grow and prosper tomorrow.”
