Goodbye 7C, hello Vertex (From Western Telegraph)

Goodbye 7C, hello Vertex

One of the partners in Pembroke Dock's Cleddau Bridge Call Centre has been taken over by another company.

But it's business as usual, says Vertex which has bought out UK contact centre operator 7C and the shareholding of 7C India.

Since its opening just over two years ago, the call centre has been operated in partnership by Manpower and 7C. It had a controversial start, with the collapse of ITV Digital earlier this year and the loss of hundreds of jobs.

News of the take over comes only three weeks after a report in the Western Telegraph in which 7C strongly denied rumours that it was in financial difficulties.

The deal includes the transfer to Vertex - the business process outsourcing arm of United Utilities PLC - of key clients at four call centres. These are at Pembroke Dock, London, Birkenhead and Liverpool. The company operates across 27 locations nationally and employs over 8,000 people.

Vertex managing director Tom Drury said: "7C has gained an excellent reputation in the UK with existing clients and we look forward to continuing these relationships. This acquisition presents a good opportunity to expand our client base in areas complementary to Vertex's existing business."

At the Pembroke Dock Call Centre, Jamie Hazelwood, of Vertex, said: "We have informed staff of developments. Our aim is to make seamless, the services we provide for existing clients. The deal has only been done within the last ten days. We now have to work jointly with former 7C managers to look at taking business forward."

A Manpower spokesman said: "Manpower is pleased with the solution that has been reached which will enable our staff working at the Pembroke Dock site to continue to provide high quality customer services to the centre's customers."

Just over 200 people are currently working at the Cleddau Bridge Call Centre - 60 for Freeview and 145 for NTL, which has extended its contract into the New Year. But there is no news on permanent contracts.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader, Councillor Maurice Hughes, said: "We very much look forward to working with Vertex. We hope the company will attract long-term work opportunities to the county in the future."