INSURANCE giant Axa has won the contract to underwrite the travel insurance for Lloyds TSB, creating 100 new jobs for its Ipswich office.

INSURANCE giant Axa has won the contract to underwrite the travel insurance for Lloyds TSB, creating 100 new jobs for its Ipswich office.

The company currently employs 400 people at its offices in Civic Drive to serve its growing corporate partners business.

Ipswich employees handle the sales and service for a wide range of insurance products supplied by a number of household names. Actual claims processing is handled from Axa's offices in Morecambe where 30 new staff will be taken on.

“This is great news for us strategically and great news for the town,” said Andy Fairchild, customer operations director.

“We are delighted for the team in Ipswich: it is a testament to their hard work and commitment. We look forward to working with Lloyds TSB Insurance to enhance the value of their business and deliver an outstanding service to their customers.

“As a result of this win, we will be looking to recruit over 100 new staff and will be giving existing employees the opportunity to up-skill or take on more senior roles as we grow,” he added.

The company has begun recruiting and aims to have the additional employees in place by February 2006 when the Lloyds TSB Insurance contract starts.

The search has also begun for temporary office space in Ipswich to house the extra numbers in the short term, while work continues on expanding the Civic Drive offices into the next-door building at Suffolk House.

“Earlier this year we took on a commitment to develop Suffolk House as a precursor to our ambition to win more corporate partner deals like this. In the meantime, we will need to use alternative space temporarily,” confirmed Mr Fairchild.