Axa marks 100 years of Bolton link

ONE of Bolton's larger employers is planning to recruit 30 more staff.

And Axa Insurance also intends to celebrate a centenary and build on its community roots.

The Bolton operation -- split between offices in Nelson Square and Sun Alliance House, Bradshawgate -- currently employs about 400 people.

Recruitment of skilled workers and A-level trainees with potential is expected to go on until July.

Paris-based Axa, which is one of the world's largest insurance companies, acquired Guardian Royal Exchange in 1999 and announced plans to cut 2,000 UK jobs.

But Bolton was retained as an important location and about 100 workers have been added since then.

Manager Pat Brady said today that the decision had been made to keep Bolton as a strategic site.

"We are always looking for good talent," she said.

Bolton Axa has its roots in the Provincial Fire Insurance Company founded by local cotton baron James Scott in Acresfield, Bolton in 1903.

It then operated in Hotel Street before transferring to Kendal in 1919.

It remained in the hands of the Scott family -- as Provincial Insurance -- until it was sold to Union des Asurances de Paris (UAP) in 1994. UAP, which invested heavily in the Bolton centre, was subsequently merged with Axa. Plans are now being made to celebrate the founding of Provincial 100 years ago this October.

Celebrations, which could include a reunion for former employees, are to run alongside the company's Hearts In Action initiative which involves staff helping with fund-raising and providing practical support to deserving community projects.

"The Scott family was big in the community and Axa wants to be big in the community with Hearts In Action," Pat Brady said. A team of about a dozen "Communications Champions" is being led by Jackie Tunnah, who wants to hear from individuals and organisations who might appreciate help.

Time has already been spent working with Bolton Hospice and the team is considering other projects, including the Bolton Coronary Care Appeal at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Jackie's telephone number is 0870 9000 632.

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