NATIONWIDE will take on facilities staff employed by collapsed contractors Carillion. 

The Swindon-based building society entered into a seven year agreement with the firm in 2016 to provide facilities management services at Nationwide’s Swindon headquarters, 15 corporate offices, data centres and 700 retail branches. The contract was worth an estimated £350million. 

Carillion went into liquidation on Monday, following debt problems at the super-contractor.

250 Carillion staff will become employees of Nationwide from January 22. The terms and conditions of their contracts would be honoured, the building society said. 

Nationwide will also take on Carillion sub-contracts with third-party suppliers working on the building society's sites. This is understood to affect around 1,500 workers.

A spokeswoman said: “Our contractors perform a vital and valued role for the Society. During an unsettling time for Carillion employees we felt it was important to provide them with some reassurances. 

“We are today announcing a proposal to bring all services provided directly by Carillion in house, with Carillion employees becoming Nationwide employees from January 22. This will provide clarity for those affected and ensure that services are maintained.

“As part of the wider supply chain arrangements we will also now look to deal directly with third-party suppliers that currently support the Carillion contract.”