Finance contractors working for umbrella companies could stand to reap the benefits of the expansion of Marks & Spencer’s financial services division, with around 500 new roles needing to be filled in order to provide staff and support services to the M&S Bank branch network.
Around 400 new positions are slated for the new bank’s branch network, to be filled by the end of 2013. An additional 100 roles based at the M&S head office in Chester will also be available, with the entirety of the jobs being up for grabs to contractors, freelancers, and permanent workers alike. Banking giant HSBC will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of new and existing branches, with the Marble Arch flagship store for Marks & Spencer opening its doors to financial service customers this week.
Customer service is expected to be a focus for the new provider, with the banks’ opening hours coinciding with Marks & Spencer shops, which are open seven days a week. Marks & Spencer chief executive, Marc Bolland, commented on the news, remarking that it has only been through paying close attention to its 21 million customers that M&S has grown to become one of the UK high street’s most trusted brands.
Newly appointed M&S Bank chief executive, Colin Kersley, also spoke out on the expansion plans, adding that with more than a quarter century of experience in the financial services sector, M&S Money’s transition into M&S Bank is a ‘natural next step.’ UK HSBC head, Joe Garner, concurred, stating that this new banking development will be the most noteworthy innovation in the field of retail banking for more than two decades.
