Forty New Jobs Created in Nettleham

Complaint Handling Services, in Nettleham, wants to take on more claims advisors to more than double its workforce.

Staff at Deepdale Enterprise Park in Nettleham

Picture: Anne Draper

The new recruits will help customers claim money back from banks that have mis-sold payment protection insurance.

All the positions will come with permanent, full-time contracts, although the company could take on some part time staff.

Ms. Aily Slade, Human Resources officer at the firm, said the business had been impressed with the skills of workers in the Lincoln area since the branch opened last June. She said:

"We're recruiting in Lincoln because we have found the quality of candidates is higher here than in other areas and bigger cities.

"We've found people are very friendly here and there's a good community spirit, and that's what we're all about.

"There's also a better level of qualifications in Lincoln.

"Whether it's GCSEs or up to degree level, it just seems to be a good area for it."

Claims advisors can earn between £13,000 and £17,000 a year on a basic salary. However, the firm says there is potential for people to earn up to £2,000 a month extra in bonuses. There are thirty people working at the company in Nettleham, with a similar number working in the original office in Altrincham, in Greater Manchester. Although the Altrincham branch opened in 2010, the firm has chosen to expand in Lincolnshire. Ms Slade added:

"We get a better application rate here in Lincoln too, although Altrincham is in a bigger area.

"There's also not as much competition in this area from other call centres."

The firm offers a variety of incentives for good results and last year took a group of the top workers to Las Vegas. Ms. Slade said she was looking for people with some previous experience in a similar job.

"We're looking for people with sales experience, some personality and who are able to gain a rapport with people – someone with a bit about them."

Current claims advisor Mr. Dan Pounds, joined the firm last June. He said:

"It ticks the ethical box for me really. 

"The money is out there and the banks are holding on to it, so it's about getting the money to the people that deserve it. 

"The company is also good at training people so they can progress through the company."

To apply, e-mail a Cirriculum Vitae to Ms Slade at aily.slade@complainthandlingservices.co.uk

Forty New Jobs In Nettleham

Mr. Ridge (centre) with members of his team.
© Picture: 2012 John Jenkins, Lincolnshire Echo

As many as forty new jobs will be created following the opening of a new call centre in Nettleham.

Complaint Handling Services has opened an office on the Deepdale Enterprise Park recently, and initially has employed 20 people the Lincolnshire Echo reports. However, following the initial success of the company, they are looking to employ a further batch of telephone operators.

Mr. Rob Ridge, Director, said:

"We deal with payment protection insurance claims initially but we also have a company called Pension Handling Services helping customers with their pensions. 

"Everything has gone really smoothly since the initial 20 people started work here in June.
"Hopefully the business will grow and we are looking to expand to around 60 employees at this site. 

"We are part of a bigger company with offices in Leicester and Manchester but Lincolnshire was very attractive to us. 

"For a start, it is cheaper to set up here than in the bigger cities and the recruitment costs are lower here. 

"Having said that, we are struggling to recruit quickly enough at the moment, but I suppose that is a good thing."

The new call centre has provided residents with an opportunity to get into work, for which they are grateful.

Mr. Mohammed Sait, from Lincoln, moved to the city from London to live with his partner. He said:

"It was about six weeks from leaving London and moving up here that I was out of work. 

"Everyone who works here comes from a different background and age group and they make an excellent team. 

"When I was working in London there was no time to think but here everybody takes their time to make sure that they get things right."

Complaint Handling Services has also provided young people their first taste of full time work. Master James Robertson, from Welton, said:

 "I finished college and wanted to find a job. I heard about this and decided to give it a go. It wasn't really what I wanted to do but I have really enjoyed it so far and I will be looking to stay in this area of work for a while."

Mr. Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, was delighted with the news of more jobs.

"It is good to see a company have the confidence to invest in the county especially while the general economic circumstances seem challenging." 

"It is good to see employment being created at such a significant level by a local firm."

Complaint Handling Services are currently employing please contact them on 01522 596400 for more information.

Unemployment Up 13,000 in East Midlands

Unemployment in the East Midlands has surged from 167,000 to 180,000.

The data for joblessness reveals the number of people registered unemployed in the East Midlands has surged from 167,000 to 180,000. The statistics also show the number of people working in the region has fallen.

The new data shows the number of people classed as being 'economically active' has dropped by 14,000 in the past three months.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Mr. Tony Maione, Lincolnshire Institute of Directors branch chairman, commenting to the Lincolnshre Echo, said public sector spending was to blame.

"These latest figures reveal more worrying evidence that the Government is not taking appropriate steps to bring public spending under control.

"There remains a yawning gap between the performance of the public and private sectors."

Unemployment has increased nationally by 43,000, the new data shows.