Aviva plays down fears of Perth job losses

Insurance group Aviva has poured cold water on claims that some 1,500 jobs at its Perth site are at risk as part of a review of its property portfolio.

Reports today said the firm was considering a move to Glasgow when the lease on its premises at Pitheavlis expires at the end of next year, but Aviva insisted no decisions have been made yet.

A spokesman for the group, who praised the “great workforce” at the current site, said: “Aviva’s Perth lease expires at the end of 2014, so as you would expect, we are reviewing our property strategy for the period from 2015 onwards.

“This is part of Aviva’s normal practice, to use the renewal of a property contract as an opportunity to ensure our property strategy is fit for the future. Part of that review is to assess our options in the market to ensure we have the best offices for our staff.”

He added: “We would emphasise that nothing has been decided and that our review includes the option to remain in Perth. We will announce the outcome as soon the review is complete.”

Aviva – which employs a further 1,000 people in Bishopbriggs – announced earlier this month that it was slashing its dividend by more than a quarter to build up its capital reserves, while no bonuses would be paid to executive directors for 2012.

The group fell to a total loss of £3 billion for the year, compared with a £60 million profit the previous year, after taking a £3.3bn writedown on the sale of its US business.