Jobs lifeline for Ageas staff as Ardonagh business takes over Stoke office

Ardonagh’s Atlanta Group agreed to take over the lease of Ageas’s Stoke office and will offer jobs to the majority of its 220 staff who work at the site. 

Atlanta Group is made up of the Autonet, Carole Nash and Swinton businesses, with the move expanding its Autonet brand based in Stoke-on-Trent.

Jobs will be offer in a phased programme beginning 1 September 2019.

Ageas announced the closure of the site earlier this year, with the decision put down to customers’ increasingly digital demands. 

The centre employs telephone advisors, web developers, insurance software specialists and numerous other support roles. The majority of employees who choose to accept Atlanta’s offer of employment will remain based at the site in Trentham Lakes.

Atlanta Group currently has 2,200 staff across six locations serving around two million customers.

The new staff will work on the Autonet brand, together with colleagues in Autonet’s original Burslem location.

Expansion

Atlanta Group chief execuitve Ian Donaldson said: “As a business which began life in Stoke-on-Trent 20 years ago, we’re proud to be expanding in the area and hope to welcome as many new colleagues as possible into the Atlanta family.

“Having worked with Ageas for a number of years, and employed people from the business in the past, we know they have a high calibre of employees, experienced in both insurance and customer care.

“From our perspective, this arrangement is win-win; Atlanta can support those looking for employment when Ageas leaves Stoke; and the additional site and expertise further supports our growth plans”

Opportunity

Ageas chief customer officer, Ant Middle said: “When we make a tough decision that affects our people we will always look for ways to help them with their onward employment.

“We’re really pleased to be able to offer an opportunity where our employees can choose to work with one of our trusted partners, maintaining their expertise in the insurance industry.”

Ageas has retained its offices in Eastleigh, Gloucester, Bournemouth Manchester and London.

The agreement, which is subject to final contract, offers the majority of Ageas’s staff the opportunity for continued employment with Atlanta in addition to the already agreed remuneration packages as part of Ageas’s redundancy programme.