Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has resolved to do everything he can to help the 92 staff whose jobs are in jeopardy at HEROtsc in Aviemore.

Mr Thompson was informed by HSBC today that it is cancelling its contract with HEROtsc in Aviemore, as part of a new strategy to consolidate its call centres and cut costs. HEROtsc Aviemore has only one customer, HSBC, and so the bank’s decision to bring all call centres in house will mean that the Aviemore site will lose the contract in September and 92 staff members will lose their jobs unless another contract is obtained. Mr Thompson said, “This is absolutely devastating news for Strathspey and Badenoch. For 92 people to be in danger of losing their jobs in a small community like Strathspey and Badenoch is the equivalent of over 4000 people losing jobs in a city like Edinburgh.

“I will work closely with HEROtsc, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Government to see if we can help them obtain another contract.

“My sympathies are with those directly affected by these potential redundancies and I will do all I can to help.”