Moray is in line for a major jobs boost after a £1million deal was struck to bring a new operator to a call centre.
There were fears 117 people could be made redundant at the Forres enterprise park-based facility after Capita lost a huge contract with one of the “big six” energy firms.
But Glasgow-based Kura has stepped in to work with the unnamed power company – and plans to create about an extra 130 jobs and boost the workforce at the Moray site to 250.
The announcement was hailed last night as “fantastic” news for the region.
Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) stepped in with support after Capita lost the contract with the leading energy provider.
The deal was welcomed by Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse, who said HIE had been working “intensively” with Kura to ensure the work remained in Forres after the contract was confirmed.
The Scottish Government-funded agency said its package of “around £1million” for the firm comprised financial and business support to “help the company locate in Forres and implement its expansion plans.”
It is expected “most if not all” of the centre’s current workforce will be able to join Kura, which plans to transfer 500 employees directly from Capita to the Moray site, its new centre in Liverpool and its facility in Glasgow.
Skills Development Scotland, Job Centre Plus and HIE will launch a recruitment drive for new workers in Forres in the coming weeks.
Kura will start handling calls for energy company from April 1.
Mr Wheelhouse said: “It is fantastic that the future of the contact centre in Forres has been secured.
“Our enterprise agency HIE has been working intensively with Kura since the contract was confirmed to offer every support they can to help retain the jobs in Forres.
“I have been personally engaging on this issue in support of the Forres site and its staff and I am delighted to see a positive outcome which is great news for the workers, their families and the wider local community.”
He added: “I am encouraged that Kura is now looking to recruit additional people for the site in Forres, which is welcome news for the local economy.”
David Oxley, acting director of business and sector development at HIE, said: “This is excellent news for Forres and for Capita employees, who will now have the opportunity to transfer to Kura.
“The continued presence of contact centre activity in Forres over several years has created a well established, highly skilled and experienced local workforce.
“With this in mind we have been working closely with Kura since they secured the contract.
“Our support package enables the company to locate the work in Forres, as well as facilitate its plans for expansion.”
Formerly know as Response, “outsourced contact centre specialist” Kura has been involved in the industry for more than 25 years and its clients include esure, 118 118 and Screwfix.
The company, which employs more than 1,300 people, changed its name in 2015 following a management buy-out, led by current chief executive Brian Bannatyne.
Mr Bannatyne said: “We’re delighted to be opening this major new site in Forres, bolstering our already strong presence in Scotland.
“The enterprise park offers a fantastic platform for our expansion within the UK and will create new jobs for those in the region.
“We are confident that the people we have in Forres will enable us to deliver the very best service for our clients.”
The company said it had won the new five-year contract following a “highly competitive” tendering process which started this month.
