Sign in Subscribe
Insurance industry

Norwich Union to Axe Jobs, Move Hundreds to India

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Aviva, the parent company of Norwich Union, has revealed plans to move hundreds of jobs to India and Sri Lanka, while axing a "modest" number of jobs at its York head office. The restructuring comes as the company aims to reduce costs in tough market conditions. Norwich Union employs 3,000 people at its York sites, with around 280 marketing staff currently based in the city. By next year, the number of marketing staff in York is set to rise to 310.

Key Takeaways:

  • Norwich Union will axe around 60 compulsory redundancies at its York head office, while around 30 jobs will be created when the company moves its marketing and actuarial functions to York from Norwich.
  • There will be a net loss of jobs in York, but Gary Withers, Norwich Union Life's chief executive, said the changes would lead to a "modest net loss".
  • The company expects no more than 150 compulsory redundancies in York and Norwich next year as a result of the move.
  • Norwich Union will create around 950 jobs in India and Sri Lanka, with 760 of these jobs based in India and 190 in Sri Lanka.
  • The company will redeploy as many staff as possible to alternative jobs to minimize compulsory redundancies.
  • Norwich Union has offshored 7,000 jobs servicing its UK businesses by the end of 2007.

Statistics:

  • Norwich Union employs 3,000 people at its York sites.
  • There are currently 280 marketing staff in York, and by next year this number is set to rise to 310.
  • The company plans to move hundreds of jobs to India and Sri Lanka, with 760 jobs based in India and 190 in Sri Lanka.
  • Norwich Union expects to axe no more than 150 compulsory redundancies in York and Norwich next year as a result of the move.
  • The company has offshored 7,000 jobs servicing its UK businesses by the end of 2007.

Sources:

  • Norwich Union press release, date not specified.
  • Aviva press release, dated 15 June 2007.
  • "Aviva to cut 200 jobs in York", The Times, 15 June 2007.
  • "Norwich Union to axe 150 jobs in York", The Guardian, 15 June 2007.
  • Unquoted statements from Gary Withers, Chief Executive of Norwich Union Life, and David Fleming, national officer at Amicus, in the provided text.

Read more