Chamber gold patron Aviva has announced that they will create 400 jobs in Norwich as it moves to restructure the business following its takeover of Friends Life.
This move will trigger the closure of motor claims offices in Manchester and Stretford and whilst some of its staff from these area may relocate it is expected that the majority of jobs will be filled from Norfolk.
Andrew Morrish, Aviva’s claims operations director, advises that they are looking for a wide range of people with customer service experience from working parents, recent graduates, apprentices and older workers. Each new member of staff will be put through a training programme so direct experience is not needed.
Mr Morrish said “We want to create varied careers for people. We need to recruit motor claims staff, but they might move into the life division, or the tech business. There is a great career with Aviva in Norwich. It is unusual to have a company like Aviva that has a range of different divisions in one place”
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said “This is great news for Norfolk. The fact that Aviva sees Norwich as a ‘centre of excellence’ for their business will help to confirm Norwich as the important business centre that it is and increases its visibility. Aviva will be offering many different career opportunities for our young people as well as to those with different abilities”
Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North said “A major national employer is recognising that we can have excellence in Norwich. A move of this size brings other opportunities with it”
Mr Morris said Aviva wanted to reinforce its commitment to Norwich by engaging more with the local business community. “Getting support from business leaders and being more tuned into what is happening around Norfolk is good for us.”
