Call centre boom brings new jobs to Southend

4:35pm Monday 1st December 2008

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A BOOMING call centre in Southend is set to defy the recession and bring hundreds more jobs to the town in the next few years.

Indian-owned Converso Contact Centres, based at Thamesgate House, Victoria Avenue, plans to MORE than double in size despite the economic crisis.

It currently employs 250 people and is now taking over a second floor of the office block. This will immediately create 180 jobs, with a total of 400 new jobs planned within two years. The company was taken over by London-based Usha Martin group in September last year, which has invested in the business to attract work from private and public sectors.

Vice-chairman Prashant Jhawar described Southend as “the call centre capital of the United Kingdom” at the opening of the new facility. He said: “I believe the base we have here in Southend can be built on for the future and that we will continue to expand in the town.

“Southend is known as the call centre capital of the United Kingdom and there are experienced and motivated staff available.”

The takeover has not been without its challenges, however.

Mr Jhawar said: “In September last year, we walked in the door with the takeover and just three weeks later our biggest client walked out.

“By June, thanks to the work of all the team in Southend, we were able to turn things round and now we are able to announce more jobs for the town.”

Mr Jhawar said there were plans to expand the Converso brand across the world, including operations in India. But he added: “Southend will always be the hub of the company.”

With local director Nalin Tikkoo, he presented an engraved Waterford glass vase to Southend mayor Gwen Horrigan for the town.

Mrs Horrigan said: “This will be a reminder of an important day for Southend, particularly in these troubled economic times.

“You have brought good news to Southend. It is down to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved that the business is such a success story. The council will continue to support you.”