Tesco’s banking division is creating 1,000 new jobs in Newcastle following a decision to establish a customer service centre in the city.
Recruitment will start early next year, with the first 500 roles to be created by the end of 2010.
The new centre will be based at Quorum Business Park, and will manage customer sales and service for Tesco Bank’s home and motor insurance customers. The roles are being created as part of Tesco Bank’s general insurance partnership with Fortis UK, announced in June.
Business secretary Peter Mandelson said: “I welcome this decision and I am proud of the government support that has helped make it happen. The jobs created by this investment will be invaluable to the North East, and to the wider UK economy.”
Tesco Bank will also be recruiting a further 800 full-time jobs at a new customer service centre in Glasgow.
The decision to locate the customer services centre of Tesco Bank in Newcastle was supported by a grant of nearly £2m from the regional development agency for North East England, One North East.
Benny Higgins, chief executive of Tesco Bank, said: “I’m delighted to be announcing more jobs as we push ahead with our exciting plans to build the Tesco Bank.”
Earlier this month, Tesco announced plans to hire 6,000 temporary staff for the busy Christmas period, pledging to recruit workers’ friends and family members who had been made redundant.
