Ageas UK to close Kwik Fit Insurance office with over 500 layoffs

Ageas UK has confirmed that it is closing the Kwik Fit Insurance Services Uddingston office in Lanarkshire, Scotland with the loss of more than 500 jobs.

Following a 45-day consultation, the decision was announced to close the site by March 31 after "no alternative options" were received, and the engagement with Scottish Enterprise and North Lanarkshire Council didn't turn out to be workable.

The company claims to have identified nearly 1,800 relevant job opportunities in the local area, and is going to set up recruitment fairs to "provide employees with advice on dealing with redundancy and finding alternative employment".

"Ageas is now focused on helping employees with their next steps," the company said in a statement.

Ant Middle, CEO of Ageas Direct and Partnerships, said: “It’s with regret that we have decided to close our Uddingston office and we know our employees will be disappointed with this news.

"However, after talks with third parties, around 40 contact centre-based organisations have expressed strong interest in our workforce, with more than 1,800 relevant role opportunities being identified so far.

"We will do all we can to support our people in securing alternative roles.”

"I know this has been a difficult and unsettling time for all of our employees and I want to thank each of them for their professionalism throughout the process. I hope that the additional services we are providing will prove valuable," he added.

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