Brighton business creates 110 jobs

One of Brighton’s biggest employers is creating 110 jobs.

Domestic and General is recruiting staff for the new posts at its contact centre in Queen Square, Brighton.

The company is hoping to fill all the vacancies by the end of January, the Brighton and Hove Independent reported on Friday (14 November).

Successful applicants for the full-time jobs will support Domestic and General (D&G) through its busiest time of year while benefiting from long-term career development opportunities within the growing business.

There is also good news for those looking for part-time work – with more vacancies becoming available in the new year.

The intake will take the total number of employees at the company’s Brighton office to about 900, confirming its position as one of the biggest private-sector employers in the city.

Owen Evans, D&G’s recruitment manager, said: “We are gearing up to prepare the company for the busiest time of year.

“We feel the job vacancies are not just positive news for us as a business but for Brighton as a city.”

The announcement comes shortly after Brighton and Hove was reported to be in the top 10 per cent of British places when it comes to creating new jobs.

Last month the Office for National Statistics business register and employment survey ranked Brighton and Hove 38th out of 380 local authority areas for employment growth.

Employment increased by 8.1 per cent from 2010 to 2013, rising from 116,865 to 126,329. The improvement was higher in the private sector, at 10.5 per cent.

Insurance firms such as D&G have been cited among those helping to drive growth. The company provides warranty services for British and international clients as well as comprehensive product protection for more than 15 million customers with many of the country’s leading appliance brands.

Contact centre representatives play a key role within the business delivering quality service for customers.

From registering customers’ appliances to organising replacement products, D&G said that it was dedicated to providing its customers with a worry-free service. Therefore, the new jobs will play a vital role.

Mr Evans said: “These are permanent positions, offering great long-term opportunities in the areas of sales and customer service.

“While we are looking for applications from people who can demonstrate some level of experience in customer service or sales, we do offer full training and provide every opportunity for people to succeed.”

All new starters will receive an initial seven days of intensive training. They then have three months of on-the-job training and coaching, equipping them with customer service, sales and telephone-based communication skills.

Mr Evans added: “There is often a perception that contact centres are only suitable for temporary jobs.

“At Domestic and General, however, we pride ourselves on developing people so they have the opportunity to build a real career for themselves.”

In 2013 the company completed a 4,704 sq ft extension to its office, which now encompasses the whole of Queen Square House, overlooking Churchill Square.

A further redesign is currently under way to accommodate the new recruits and to help facilitate future plans for the business.

For more information about job opportunities at Domestic & General, visit careers.domesticandgeneral.com