Partners pledge 60 jobs as they pioneer new kind of call centre

Voicentric is a customer services contact centre, specialising in outbound calling for the financial services and utilities sectors.

It has been established to support the customer acquisition and retention programmes of its clients.

The business, established by Paul Williams, 44, and Russell James, 34, has moved into a 1,000sq ft office at Consett's e-Business Centre, with the help of a grant from County Durham Development Company (CDDC).

Voicentric also attracted support from Derwentside District Council and the Derwentside Industrial Development Agency.

The company has already invested £60,000 in the business and plans a further £235,000 over the next 18 months. It hopes to employ more than 60 people by the end of 2004.

Mr Williams used to work as managing director with US contact centre giant Convergys and as contact centre director with 2Touch Axciom. His business partner, Mr James, formerly worked in contact centre support services for Natwest Streamline.

Prior to that he worked as a senior member with a joint venture call centre set up in Amsterdam for Dutch airline KLM.

Mr Williams said his call centre was different from all the rest: "We intend to get away from the call centre as a factory. Too many organisations in our industry have become large-scale operations where the staff become little more than small cogs in large machinery, becoming distant and alienated from the businesses leaders.

"We plan to limit our size to 60 people, which we believe is the perfect size to win some good contracts and maintain a highly skilled and well motivated workforce."

Maxine Horth, business services officer at CDDC, said: "We feel sure that Voicentric will find, as do all companies setting up in County Durham, an adaptable, flexible and skilful workforce.

Anyone looking for a job with Voicentric should contact Paul Williams on (01207) 693 969. Alternatively, they can download an application pack from the company's website at www.voicentric.co.uk