Daniel staff transfers confirmed

ADMINISTRATORS handling the affairs of Warrington-based Daniel Contractors say they have confirmed the transfer of two of the business’s main contracts, safeguarding 553 jobs.

Last month administrators at Deloitte said a maintenance contract with Welsh Water has been transferred to Preston-based Enterprise safeguarding 471 jobs.

Now they have completed the transfer of a further 328 staff working on a United utilities job to Enterprise, and 225 handling a Bristol Water contract to Norwich-based May Gurney and Land and Marine Engineering.

Land and Marine was part of Daniel but it was acquired out of administration by the Murphy Group in May saving 185 jobs, mainly at the head office at Bromborough on the Wirral.

Administrators are continuing to work on the sale of the sale of the Subterra subsidiary, which will save 10 jobs, and other assets.

According to the administrators there were 1,449 staff at the time of their appointment and they expect to save a total of 1,226 jobs. So far 175 have been made redundant, seven have left the business and 40 have been retained.

Joint administrator Bill Dawson said: “We are pleased that the vast majority of jobs have now been safeguarded and staff are transferring to alternative service providers. We are also encouraged by discussions with potential buyers of Subterra and other assets of Daniel, and we hope to conclude negotiations soon.”