ChoiceQuote consults on potential office closures
THE UK broking arm of French insurance giant Groupama has begun a consultation process with 68 members of staff at its ChoiceQuote business over a restructuring plan which may result in the closure of its Manchester and Liverpool offices.
The firm has announced that the consultation process has begun following a review of the ChoiceQuote business.
ChoiceQuote currently operates from offices in Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow. It offers personal and commercial motor insurance products (including taxi insurance) as well as private car insurance. It was bought by Groupama’s GUK Broking Services business in 2008.
GUK is planning to run ChoiceQuote’s commercial insurance business from its Glasgow office form the second quarter of next year.
It is proposing to make the personal lines business an online-only operation, which ccould lead to the closure of both the Liverpool and Manchester offices.
However, some of the customer service and contact centre staff would be offered tranfers to the offices of Carole Nash Insurance Brokers – the Altrincham-based motorbike insurance specialist which Groupama bought from its eponymous founder in 2006.
The company said the move was being made to “maximise the valuable synergies and cost efficiencies that are available within the GUK’S group of broking businesses” to address competitive market conditions.
ChoiceQuote managing director Cathie Bruce said: “Market conditions in some of the specialist markets in which ChoiceQuote operates are currently extremely challenging and there is a need to keep expenses low and to trade as cost-effectively as possible.
“These business proposals are designed with this in mind. They focus on the core strengths of ChoiceQuote but also make maximum use of the various synergies and operational efficiencies that are available to us elsewhere in the wider group of GUKS broking companies.”
She added: “We value our people very highly and it is to be hoped that as many as possible are able to find alternative employment within ChoiceQuote or elsewhere within our wider group.
“A good proportion of people will have the opportunity to transfer to Carole Nash and will be able to continue to support the Choicequote brand.”
