Partner Article

New jobs created from the rubble of collapsed giant

TWO former colleagues who were made redundant when North East contact centre empire Garlands collapsed earlier this year have launched their own business, which aims to create 20 new jobs by 2012.

Just four months after losing their jobs alongside over 1,000 fellow Garlands workers, Rachel Barnes and Sharon Atkinson have set up their own call answering service.

The duo is hoping to breathe new life into Teesside’s job market by employing former Garlands workers, with the aim of taking on around 10 people this year.

Call Agents UK, which expects to have a 20-strong workforce by 2012, has already secured contracts with a national networking group, a UK-wide financial advisory firm and remains in talks with a number of other major players.

The new firm is headquartered in Teesside University’s business incubation units in the Victoria building and offers virtual receptionist services, telemarketing campaigns and lead generation services.

The company uses the latest telephony technology to take and relay messages, which can be accessed by clients 24/7 via the Call Agents UK website.

Ms Barnes, who spent six years at Garlands handling several heavyweight clients including Virgin, Orange and Vodafone, said: “We had always talked about setting up our own business while working at Garlands as we had so much experience in the field and we had the determination and drive to do it.

“We wanted to set up in Middlesbrough and work with local businesses to help get the area moving again.”

Ms Atkinson, who moved to Middlesbrough from Newcastle in 1995, said: “We want to bring something different to the area that has already proven to be a huge success in London and North America.

“We will be looking to take on ex-Garlands staff as they already have the skills and experience we are looking for and we have been in talks with a few of our old colleagues already. However, we do feel that customer service skills are very transferable therefore there will be opportunities for a diverse range of people within our community.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .