BT announces 150 new jobs and second multi-million pound contract centre in Newcastle

BT Group today announced that it will be recruiting over 150 new local jobs as well as beginning a multi-million pound refurbishment of its second contact centre in Newcastle, located at its North Tyneside building. 

 Demonstrating BT’s continued commitment to Newcastle and to the North East, the new and full-time contact centre roles will be recruited by EE, part of BT Group, over the next six months.  

 The current North Tyneside building will undergo a major revamp to modernise it with state-of-the-art technology and facilities. Once complete it will become the largest consumer contact centre in the BT Group estate, creating a fantastic workplace for around 1,500 EE colleagues. 

 This announcement follows the recent multi-million pound refurbishment of the company’s Gosforth contact centre. 

 The refurbishment of the building, due to start in January 2022 and complete by Autumn 2022, has been designed with the help of BT colleagues. It will include facilities and services such as full height windows providing natural light, café and restaurant facilities, as well as flexible workspaces and collaboration areas. It will also include relax and refuel areas and a games area.  

 North Tyneside is the latest key location to be unveiled in the UK as part of BT’s ‘Better Workplace Programme’ – the largest workplace improvement and consolidation scheme of its type ever undertaken in the UK. 

 The investment will help transform the way BT works, create efficiencies and enable it to better serve its customers.  

 Nick Lane, managing director for consumer customer services at BT, said: “BT is fully committed to Tyneside and we are really pleased to be creating new and permanent local EE jobs as well as investing in a second multi-million pound office refurbishment in the area. 

 “It’s a great time to be joining our team and I would encourage anyone who would be interested to check out the EE Careers website (apply.ee.co.uk) where more information and details on how to apply may be found. 

 “Once our North Tyneside office refurbishment is complete, we are excited that our colleagues will be able to benefit from working in a future-fit workplace, boasting the latest technologies that will help bring our people together in an impressive and modern environment, transforming the way we work. We aim to be the best place to work in the local area.” 

 BT has said that it will continue to ensure that suitable safety and social distancing measures in all of its offices and contact centres are in line with Government guidance regarding Covid-19, as well as following Public Health England’s latest guidelines to ensure people are kept safe. 

 Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor, said: “Good news in the run up to Christmas for our region. Today’s announcement by BT of over 150 new full time jobs is hugely significant for North Tyneside and local people. This second multi-million pound office investment in Newcastle shows the confidence that a company the size and stature of BT has placed in us.”  

 Jonathan Walker, policy director, North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’m delighted to see that BT is continuing to play a major role in the local economy both in terms of employment and connectivity.  

 “The creation of more than 150 new jobs for local residents is fantastic particularly in these challenging times. BT’s continued investment in the North East is a reflection of the high quality workforce and competitive advantages our region can provide.  

 “Following the recent completion of the Gosforth contact centre, it is great to see BT now investing in the multi-million pound refurbishment of their North Tyneside building and it is a major endorsement for the North East. I look forward to seeing the new centre once it has been completed.” 

 EE teams that will be based at the newly refurbished North Tyneside contact centre will benefit from the fastest full fibre broadband connections, as well as EE 5G mobile coverage in the area.  

 BT Group plays an important role in the economy of the North East and is responsible for generating £1 in every £60 produced in the region, according to an independent report. It also generated £1.09 billion to the economy of the North East in “Gross Value Added” GVA, during the 2019/20 financial year.* BT Group supports more than 13,700 local jobs across the region.