Mobile phone giant Vodafone UK has announced plans to shed a number of senior management positions, and HR roles as part of a move to simplify its operating model.
Vodafone, the world’s largest mobile company by revenue, said it would make 450 redundancies in the UK, mainly at its Newbury headquarters. The move would see senior management levels reduced by 20%.
A spokesperson for Vodafone said the roles would be affected in all areas of the company that are customer facing. “There will be some HR people who will leave, but we will not be providing a number at this stage.”
However, the company said it intends to recruit a 490 staff in data retail and other sales.
In a statement, it said: “Vodafone UK will recruit a further 330 retail advisers to its stores to ensure its customers receive the best service experience and to meet data product sales demand across the UK.” It also aims to create up to 130 sales and service roles in its enterprise business.
A new, 850-seat purpose-built customer services centre is also on the cards, to be built in Stoke-on-Trent, to which it will add a further 30 roles to develop its online sales and customer service activity.
Nick Read, chief executive of Vodafone UK, said: “Vodafone UK is clearly focused on building on its market leading position in data products and services. We are announcing a series of targeted investments to meet growing demand in this area, while simplifying the way we work, putting the customer at the heart of everything we do.”
