Contact centre specialist ResQ is creating 120 new jobs in Hull after expanding its partnership with Vodafone.
The new hires will join a 450-strong team of customer care agents, with the company having worked with the telecoms giant since 2018.
During the past two years it has been recognised as an exemplar of outsourcing by the industry at a European level.
Chief operations officer Gill Marchbank said: “We can safely say that the past year has been somewhat lacking in positive news, even more so in Hull over the past month with the rise in Covid cases. Amid this difficult climate, it’s really rewarding to be in a position to create new opportunities for our local community through our partnership with Vodafone.
“I am incredibly proud of our team who have demonstrated significant resilience and an unequivocal commitment to continuing to deliver a world class service for our customers – and, still with a smile on their face.
“Opportunities to expand our partnerships with customers like Vodafone could not be made possible without them. It’s for this reason that we must continue to support them both personally and professionally through these uncertain times.”
ResQ recently committed to taking an entire floor of the refurbished Hammonds of Hull building to facilitate the growth the £13.5 million turnover business is now confirming.
It is retaining the Criterion House headquarters in George Street while adding the space, having also opened a further call centre in Seaham, County Durham, in 2017.
Jon Shaw, head of UK consumer sales channels at Vodafone UK, said: “The new positions are a sign of Vodafone’s continued investment in the UK and our ongoing partnership with ResQ. The expansion is great news for Hull and our customers as it will allow us to continue to provide the best possible customer service experience as we keep the UK connected.”
A 100-strong team was brought in to handle the Vodafone account back in September 2018.
Alongside Vodafone in the client list are the likes of British Gas, BT and USwitch, with more than seven million calls handled annually by the team.
The jobs have been welcomed by Hull City Council’s deputy leader Daren Hale, who heads up economic investment, regeneration, planning, land and property. He said: “The news that ResQ is looking to take on over 100 people is particularly welcomed at this time and also serves to demonstrate the commercial confidence in the city centre by a leading private sector employer.”
