O2 call centre to bring 1500 jobs to Glasgow

O2, one of the UK's leading mobile phone operators, has announced a dramatic expansion of its presence in Scotland.

The creation of a new O2 Customer Service centre in Glasgow, selected over sites under consideration in Ireland and the UK, promises to create 1500 permanent jobs at a facility due to open in the Autumn in Glasgow's Skypark business complex at Finnieston.

Over the next two years, O2 will invest £18 million in the venture which has attracted Scottish Executive support via an offer of around £7 million Regional Selective Assistance funding.

General Manager, Customer Service for O2 UK, Francesca Rea, said: "This is a major vote of confidence in our business and the UK market. This is now the most competitive mobile phone market in Europe. That means great value for consumers and huge choice. We believe we can differentiate and have more customers choosing O2 by investing in the people and resources to deliver an overall experience that customers will find superior. That is what today's announcement is all about."

Deputy First Minister and Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace said: "This is a significant announcement for Scotland and a ringing endorsement of what we can offer to companies across the world.

"O2's decision to locate here confirms yet again that Scotland is a first class location to do business, with a reputation for offering a skilled and motivated workforce. Excellent customer services is something we do well in Scotland. And that is one of the many reasons why we continue to attract contact centre jobs to Scotland.

"The fact that a globally recognised household name like O2 has chosen to expand in Scotland in the face of competition from other locations does credit to our reputation."

The Skypark business complex in Glasgow was chosen following a review of several UK and Irish sites.

O2 said that Glasgow offered a large, experienced, customer-focused workforce and therefore an employment pool that closely matches the company's requirements. The company's operation will cover three floors of the complex comprising a total floor area of around 100,000 sq feet.

O2 has already announced that it will be hiring an additional 500 people as it expands its base of UK retail stores. The company also unveiled plans to extend its 26 retail stores in Scotland to 30 over the next six months.

Over a million customers use O2's mobile phone network in Scotland.

(SP/GB)