Jobs go at Zurich in Whiteley as insurance firm makes 185 people redundant across the country

People have been made redundant at Zurich, which has an office in Whiteley, as it continues to simplify its business structure.

The company, which operates from 20 locations across the UK, has made 185 people redundant from largely back office and non-market facing roles, such as finance and operations and marketing, across the country.

The redundancies were originally announced at the end of last year as it set up a new UK structure with senior appointments across its business.

This followed plans to bring Life and General Insurance together under a single leadership team, and the appointment of a UK CEO.

However, the posts were removed this week as the consultation period ended.

A statement from the company said its new simpler UK structure ‘mirrored work under way across Zurich Insurance Group to reshape the business for future success and strengthen customer relationships.’

UK CEO Tulsi Naidu said: ‘We have built a truly integrated and diverse executive team promptly, and one with significant experience in our markets. We want to continue our market leadership in some areas and take advantage of opportunities to grow in others, making a strong business stronger still.

‘We have an outstanding commercial insurance offering, great life propositions but an underdeveloped presence serving retail and small business insurance customers. We have fantastic momentum in our business and I see opportunity for us to succeed in all our markets by taking a very customer-focused approach.

‘This integration does mean the removal of some roles from the UK business. Making these decisions is never done lightly, but the steps will make us sustainable in a highly competitive market – creating a platform for growth.’

These latest redundancies follow a trend for the firm. In 2015, Zurich cut 440 jobs from its UK general insurance business across the country – with 56 jobs lost in Whiteley.

In November 2013, 94 posts were axed from the Whiteley offices and in April 2012, 163 customer services and claims jobs were also cut.

One affected worker, who has been at the firm for more than 10 years but did not want to be named, said: ‘Zurich have changed completely over the last 10 years. People used to spend their entire career at the company and felt like part of a family.

‘Now employees are treated like disposable commodities. There are people who have worked for 20 and 30 years who are being told to pack their belongings and leave. I’d never consider working for them again.’