Member Article

£10m Newcastle Building Society investment to create 100 new North East jobs

Newcastle Building Society has announced that it will create 100 new jobs during 2016 as part of a new £10m investment programme.

Fifty new jobs are being immediately made available, creating a variety of new positions across the Society and its subsidiaries including Newcastle Strategic Solutions, a provider of outsourced savings management services.

In addition to Customer Services roles, further positions will include additional development roles in IT and roles to support the growth of Newcastle Financial Services Limited, the financial advisory subsidiary; HR and mortgage operations.

Moreover, the investment will also provide improvements to branches and infrastructure throughout the region.

The programme involves the opening of a number of new branches, an upgrade to others and closure of some less well used facilities, plus a new website to be launched in the Spring.

Phase 1

The first phase of the plan has already seen three branches in the region upgraded. Cramlington and North Shields have been redeveloped, with a complete new look and much improved meeting space. At Chester-le-Street an entirely new branch now replaces a smaller and dated facility.

Two new city centre based Advice Centres will be opened in Newcastle and an innovative new strategic partnership with Stockton Borough Council is planned, which will enable the Society to re-establish a presence on Yarm High Street and offer traditional building society services and financial advice as part of a redeveloped library facility. The pilot is expected to be the first of a number of other community partnerships.

Future

Significant changes are planned for the Gateshead area, where the Society will launch a new signature branch. The new branch will provide enhanced service to customers of the existing Gateshead and Low Fell branches which will be closed.

Due to falling usage at Wallsend and Heaton these branches will also be closed and customers will be welcomed at the recently upgraded North Shields branch and the new, city centre facilities.

Operations at Newcastle’s Hood Street will be upgraded to an entirely new branch and Advice Centre, to be conveniently located at Portland House, close to the Laing Art Gallery and City Library.

There are no redundancies anticipated as a result of the planned changes and all existing staff will be provided with the opportunity to step into roles, either in the branches or other available positions.

Andrew Haigh, Chief Executive, explained: “Our strategy is to provide long-term member value and be a strong modern day, regional building society. This investment programme recognises the importance of offering members the choice of both digital and a modern and effective branch network.

“This is a positive step for Newcastle Building Society as we continue to invest in developing our products and services to meet the changing needs of our customers.”

“Much of the investment in our branch refurbishment programme involves increasing the space available to cater for customers who want advice. This helps us provide a better experience, better value and more choice for customers.”

Andrew added: “This is an exciting time for Newcastle Building Society as we build upon the tremendous progress we have made throughout 2015 and we look forward to welcoming new staff to the Society team as we deliver these plans through 2016.

“This programme of investment will enable us to continue to provide excellent service and good value products to our members, who own the business, with increased choice as to how they engage with us, including a much improved branch network and digital offering.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →