The move is to ensure the business is ‘ahead of the game and ready to make the most of market conditions when the market bounces back’ says broker chief executive

Independent broker Be Wiser Insurance has started a consultation process with its 280 employees around potential job losses resulting from a business reorganisation programme.

The month-long staff consultation is expected to start shortly – following this, the number of job roles at risk will be confirmed.

The broker anticipates that the majority of the jobs affected will be “mainly in the back office and support functions”.

Be Wiser chief executive Jeff Brinley said “re-configuring our business operation” will allow the business “to protect ourselves today in order to grow and prosper tomorrow”.

This follows the “challenging” time the broker has experienced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We need to reconfigure Be Wiser now so that we are ahead of the game and ready to make the most of market conditions when the market bounces back,” Brinley continued.

“It’s never easy to take these difficult decisions that impact on our people, especially in such uncertain economic times.

“We will do everything we can to support those affected, including redeployment where that’s possible.”

Covid-driven transformation

Brinley added that Be Wiser’s motor business has suffered as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “The motor insurance market has been badly hit by this most recent series of restrictions.

“Our renewals business is holding up well, but new business across the market has been impacted by the fact that fewer people are driving.”

The impact of the pandemic, therefore, “has encouraged us to accelerate our transformation plans”, Brinley added.

“Our top priority is to maintain our reputation for exceptional customer service and my aim is to strengthen our customer operation for the future.”