Business

University welcomes 800 jobs

Published 7 October 2010

Professor Julian Crampton, Chair of Sea Space and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, has welcomed news that the Saga Group, which specialises in products and services for the nation's over 50s, is set to become the largest private sector employer in Hastings.

The company has announced its intended purchase of One Priory Square in the Priory Quarter business district of Hastings' town centre. One Priory Square is a new, six-storey, 45,000 sq ft building of Grade A offices, created by economic development company Sea Space as part of the long-term redevelopment programme for the area.

Professor Crampton, chairman of the board of Sea Space, the economic development company working for Hastings and Bexhill, said: "It's wonderful to hear that Saga has decided to set up a major business operation in Hastings. It's been a team effort by all private and public sector partners backing Coastal Land - the joint venture between the Land Group and Sea Space - to create Priory Quarter as a dynamic business district in the town.

"This is, however, much more the beginning than the end of the process. Saga's investment in the town enables us to move directly on to tackle the next phase of redevelopment. Our focus on attracting further companies and investment to Hastings and Rother must continue.

"Employment opportunities are essential at any time and this is extremely good news for the local jobs market and for the community as a whole. It is particularly welcome at a time when we are creating opportunities for the next generation, through the establishment of two new academies and by the expansion of University Centre Hastings with the construction of its second phase.

"This is enormously rewarding for everyone involved in regenerating the area and we, as a university, are particularly pleased because of the investment that has been made and continues to be made in the education infrastructure.

"Our mission is to provide opportunities to develop and train a skilled and professional workforce that in itself will bring investment and employment to the area."

The new Hastings Academy

Work will start now to equip the building so it can accommodate up to 800 contact centre and support staff. The site will open for business in the New Year.

Saga Insurance has continued to grow and attract customers, creating a need for more staff and facilities, with Hastings chosen as the location for this expansion.

Commenting on the acquisition, Roger Ramsden, chief executive of Saga Insurance, said: "Our customers like things done properly, and we rely on well-trained people, rather than irritating automated call answering. Saga customers like a personal service and prefer speaking with people based in the UK.

"Hastings is an ideal location. Priory Square is in the town centre and has good public transport links and the building will provide a great working environment. We aim to attract, train and keep the best talent that Hastings has to offer."

Saga is now recruiting people in the Hastings area to work in a variety of positions from agents and managers in contact centre roles such as claims, sales and customer services to positions in HR, IT, property management, cleaning and catering.

Local people interested in a career with Saga in Hastings should call 01303 774776 for an application form, download one from www.saga.co.uk/hastings or email their CV to sagahastings@saga.co.uk.