RSA axes 500 jobs in Bristol

RSA is cutting 500 jobs in Bristol after confirming plans to close down its operation in the city.

The insurer told staff this morning that their jobs would be lost by the middle of next year.

RSA said the closure formed part of its transformation programme announced earlier this year designed to save £70m in costs. It announced 1,200 UK job cuts in February.

RSA currently operates from its West Gate offices in the city centre where around 400 full-time posts are being lost but the move will affect 500 people. It will continue to have a small local trading office in the city employing around 40 people to service its commercial brokers.

“Decisions like this that affect our people are always difficult.

Adrian Brown, RSA

In a statement, RSA said it was fully committed to supporting its staff through the change, which includes the provision of comprehensive outplacement services to help them secure new roles. "This will include preparation of CVs, workshops, a research service to find suitable roles, liaison with local employers to seek out prospective job opportunities and access to specialist consultants," the insurer said.

Adrian Brown, RSA UK CEO, said: "Decisions like this that affect our people are always difficult. We have made the announcement at this early stage to maximise opportunities for staff to find alternative employment, either within the company or outside.

"Our people are highly skilled and we will give them all the support we can to help them find new jobs."

RSA has been in consultation with its union partner, Unite, throughout the process.