The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Insurance giant creates new jobs
A RECRUITMENT drive by an insurance giant following increased demand for its products is expected to see a glut of new jobs created in Peterborough.
Multi-national global insurer, RSA, has announced the recruitment drive in its sales and service team at its office at Peterborough Business Park, in Lynchwood, Orton Wistow.
Although the firm could not confirm how many new employees it was looking to recruit, Evening Telegraph sources suggest the number of new jobs created is likely to number between 50 and 100.
The company will be holding an open event today at Lynchwood House between 4pm and 7.45pm which will give prospective employees a chance to tour the office and speak to workers. Alternatively, would-be workers can visit www. rsaonyourdoorstep.com.
The drive comes shortly after RSA was placed sixth on the Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies To Work For 2012 list, which is based on the views of employees and the processes of the employers.
The news also comes as a welcome boost for Peterborough following last month’s disappointing job figures, which saw the largest rise in unemployment in the city since the UK entered the recession at the beginning of 2009.
Iain Crighton, the chairman of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the jobs boost, but said that 2012 would be a year of good news and bad news on the jobs front.
He said: “Any news that is about the creation of jobs is really good for the city.
“But I think we are going to go through probably another 12 months of good news and bad news in terms of jobs.
“However, it’s important that we em- phasise the good news in the city as it encourages people to have faith in the local economy and continue to spend money, rather than going into their shell.
“Just as important as job creation in the city at the moment is job security. If people feel safe in their jobs then they will feel safe to spend money.
“The financial sector does seem to be doing quite well here, but to be honest there are a number of businesses which are doing well despite the conditions.”
RSA, which provides insurance services to multi-national companies, posted profits before tax of £613 million for 2011.
Commenting on the Sunday Times listing, RSA’S UK chief executive Adrian Brown said: “The Sunday Times Best Companies listing is an incredible result. The fact that this is based on our employees’ views makes me especially proud as our people are at the heart of our organisation.”
Shailesh Vara, MP for North-west Cambridgeshire, was delighted to see a firm like RSA, which employs 700 at Lynchwood, increase its city presence.
He said: “In this difficult time it’s welcome news to see a major company increasing its business in our area.
“Every extra job helps because often there is a family behind the income and when extra money is around then that helps the local economy.”