Covid blamed as 100 jobs at Dundee firms face axe

Workers at Insights and Pacson Valves facing uncertain future

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic took another toll on Tayside yesterday as two Dundee employers revealed plans to shed almost 100 jobs.

Staff at Insights, which operates from two buildings at Dundee Technology Park, were told the personal development company was cutting 15% of its 500-strong workforce worldwide. It is not yet clear how many posts will be axed in the city, where the firm was founded by father and son Andi and Andy Lothian in 1993.

Workers at Pacson Valves were informed the manufacturing company is looking to cut up to 15 of its 90 staff due to the global oil downturn. The business started in 1992 from Carnoustie.

Bosses at both companies blamed Covid-19.

Staff at a major Dundee employer were informed of plans to axe 15% of the workforce yesterday.

Insights, which operates from two buildings at Dundee Technology Park, said the job cuts were a direct result of a downturn caused by coronavirus.

Founded by father and son Andi and Andy Lothian in Dundee in 1993, Insights is a personal development company that has been a global success.

More than six million people have used it, with customers including Microsoft, the NHS, Nike and Google.

Insights employs more than 500 staff worldwide, with slightly less than half that number based in Dundee, where the company’s headquarters remains.

Chief executive Fiona Logan said: “In order to protect and sustain our business, continue to deliver our purpose and respond decisively to the uncertain economic outlook, we are in the regrettable, but unavoidable, position of having to make some roles redundant from the organisation.

“This announcement is not a course of action the executive board has taken lightly, but believe it is necessary to safeguard the business for the long term.”

She said they will go “above and beyond to support colleagues as we work through these changes”.

Insights said the company’s shareholders – who continue to be the Lothian family – were fully committed to “the organisation, Dundee and Scotland” and that the firm’s headquarters will remain in the city.

“Our digital strategy has enabled us to offer customers access to our amazing learning experiences throughout the pandemic,” Ms Logan said.

“However, the pandemic has been particularly hard on face-to-face gatherings due to the nature of the virus, and the resulting financial crisis has posed a severe and significant strategic risk to our industry.

“We will accelerate and invest in our digital strategy to ensure Insights stays ahead of the curve, continues to meet customer demand offering a blend of transformational learning experiences, and is a successful and profitable business into the future.”

“I am confident, despite these difficulties, that we will emerge a strong business as we continue to invest in our people, digital platforms and core products and ensure we continue to grow and thrive as a significant player in the Dundee and Scottish economies.”

Insights’ most recent accounts showed the group recorded sales of £68.9 million in 2019, with pre-tax profits of £14.2m.

An Insights office in Dundee.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Chief executive Fiona Logan said a reduction in headcount was needed to safeguard the business in the long term.