Medico-legal company UKIM to create 40 jobs with new division

A North East firm that supplies medical reports for legal and regulatory sectors is launching a new division, which will lead to the creation of 40 jobs over the next year.

UK Independent Medical (UKIM), based in Sunderland, has become a nationwide leader in the medico-legal market, providing independent medical evidence to courts, regulators, and other sectors.

The new occupational health and wellbeing division will work with businesses to protect employees and safeguard their health and quality of life, using strategies like occupational therapy, absence management, return to work programmes, counselling, and other psychological interventions.

The firm currently employs more than 120 people at its Houghton-le-Spring base. It’s hoped that the new division will support the creation of 40 additional roles over the next year.

The department will include an occupational health hub, and will be led by Dr Les Smith, a member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (Royal College of Physicians UK) and a renowned expert in his field.

UKIM has a rapid growth business plan for the new division and forecasts that it will bring in £1 million of revenue in its first year.

Alan Ballard, UKIM partnership director, said: “What sets the UKIM occupational health and wellbeing division apart is our biopsychosocial model which considers all aspects of employee health and advises employers on occupational health, including fitness for work and wellness activities.

“I’m excited at the potential of this division, which could transform the outlook of companies in the short and longer-term.”

Sunderland City Council’s business investment team has provided support and guidance to UKIM since it was first launched in 2003.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council said: “The constant innovation that hallmarks UKIM’s growth in Sunderland has led to the launch of a new service which will potentially benefit many thousands of working people across the country.

“The council led Workplace Health Alliance is currently working with businesses to deliver preventative workplace health support, and UKIM’s new service complements this. It’s great news for the region and UK and we wish the Occupational Health and Wellbeing division every success.”