Stuart Bernau at the opening of Nationwide's new call centre

NATIONWIDE has opened its newest call centre in Swindon.

The building society made the move as a number of other financial firms continue to outsource call centre work to countries in Asia.

"This further illustrates the society's commitment to keeping its call centres based in the UK," said Stuart Bernau, the company's executive director of retail.

The call centre, one of six the society has in the UK, will provide a key service for Nationwide's 13 million members and will take the company's number of employees in Swindon to 5,000.

Its Swindon call centre, employing 400 people, was based within the society's head office in Pipers Way. It has now moved to the Windmill Hill Business Park. The recruitment of an additional 200 employees will take place over the next two years and is expected to be completed by 2010.

The boost in the number of employees will make Nationwide the town's biggest employer.

Mr Bernau, who opened the new call centre with South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove and Swindon mayor Steve Wakefield, said: "Our call centres handle around a million calls every month.

"This expansion will help us better meet the needs of our members while also helping to support the communities in which we do business."

Coun Phil Young, Swindon Council's cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said: "From a council point of view Nationwide is a solid and substantial employer and we are delighted that they continue to invest in Swindon.

"This kind of story reinforces how strong a business location Swindon is, where people can come and set up, thrive and expand."

Joanne Stagg, the newly elected president of Swindon Chamber Of Commerce, said Nationwide's expansion was further good news on the back of regeneration work in the town.

"This is good positive news for Swindon and further proof that the town is being transformed.

"Nationwide is a valuable and prestigious employer."

Anyone interested in applying for a job at the new Swindon call centre should call Nationwide's recruitment hotline on 0800 169 0100.

7:30am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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