Member Article

Union Insurance set to create 100 Wakefield jobs after £1.4 million investment

A London-based firm providing insurance protection to trade union members is set to create more than 100 jobs after investing £1.4 million to launch its first operation outside the capital in Wakefield.

With support from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s Business Growth Programme, which is supported by the government’s Regional Growth Fund, Union Insurance has created a new call centre at Wakefield 41 Business Park.

Union Insurance, which offers policies to members of leading trade unions including Unison, Unite, Usdaw and the GMB, has acquired the 14,000 sq ft building and refurbished the building to suit its requirements.

The organisation has already recruited around 20 staff from the local area and is recruiting further.

Managing director Dan Harrison said: “We have been established in London since 2000 and have built up a successful call centre employing around 125 staff. We provide working people and their families with access to greater financial security through insurance policies that protect against the financial impact of major life traumas.

“However, it’s difficult to grow our business any further in the capital because of escalating costs, so we wanted a base somewhere else to complement it.”

Union Insurance considered several locations across the UK for its second base but the Leeds City Region had been a clear winner, Mr Harrison said.

“The £100,000 grant from the Business Growth Programme has enabled our business to really forge ahead with our plans to acquire a site in Wakefield.

“Additionally, we have received some great support and advice on this journey from the team at the LEP and also Wakefield Council which has been invaluable. We’re really excited about the opportunities this move has given our business and our people and are looking to create more than 100 jobs.”

Roger Marsh, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, added: “It’s always really pleasing to see organisations look outside the capital to invest and plan for their futures so we’re obviously delighted to support Union Insurance and help to create jobs in the City Region.

“Union Insurance is a growing company and we have every confidence that this investment will see the business expand in Wakefield.”

“Following our Local Growth Deal announcement, we are delighted that a further £18 million is added to the Business Growth Programme fund to help support businesses like Union Insurance invest in the City Region and ensure we cement our position as an economic powerhouse in the north.”

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “We have been delighted to support another new business to open up in Wakefield. Our district is ideally placed for companies wanting to expand outside of the capital but maintain access to great transport links around the country.

“I’m sure Union Insurance will be a fantastic asset to the district, creating a wide variety of jobs and

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .