121 jobs to go as Royal Liver shuts Irish sales operation
Up to 121 jobs are to be lost at financial services provider Royal Liver Assurance, it emerged today.
The company said the posts would be lost in September when its Direct Sales Force in Ireland is closed.
It said it had taken the decision amid falling profit margins and the increased popularity of face-to-face selling by brokers over direct sales.
A spokeswoman said Royal Liver’s 300,000 existing customers would be unaffected by the move.
The company currently employs 550 people in Ireland and is seeking a licence for a broker company from the Financial Regulator.
A spokeswoman said: “Going forward, the company’s strategy is to offer independent financial advice and access to a wide range of products through a new broker company.
“In an increasingly competitive market place, where the customer is seeking independent financial advice and greater choice, the broker channel is becoming more dominant.
“Royal Liver’s existing customer service activities to their 300,000 customers, including home collections, will remain unaffected.
“There are 550 Royal Liver employees in Ireland, of which 121 employees are directly affected by the company’s decision.
“Opportunities for salespeople will exist in the new broker company, an application for which is currently with the Financial Regulator for approval.”
