Broker to recruit in 2011 as it gears up towards flotation in 2012

Bexhill-based insurance broker Hastings Direct will recruit 150 staff this year as it expands before its planned listing next year.

The first 60 of these posts will be recruited this month. The company is seeking staff with telephone skills from the Bexhill, Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton and Hove areas for an immediate start.

Hastings expects to recruit 350 roles throughout 2011, with the remaining 90 new roles recruited before the summer.

Non-executive chairman Neil Utley is planing to float Hastings by 2012.

Hastings is targeting between £500m and £700m premium income by flotation.

A statement said: "The starting salary is circa £17,000 which includes an average monthly bonus payment of £300, but staff members who excel at selling regularly earn as much as an additional £2,000 a month."

Hastings– which celebrates its 14th birthday on January 22nd - sells motor, bike, van and household insurance to the public.

Amanda Menahem, human resources director said: “We are a successful and fast growing business, as well as being a great place to work. We offer employees the chance of a great career. We have doubled our leadership and development programme for 2011. Many of managers originally joined us as call centre workers and we are keen to identify and progress talent in our business.”