A CALL centre firm will recruit 400 workers by Christmas as it expands in the region, The Northern Echo can reveal.

ResQ made the vow after opening a base on Spectrum Business Park, in Seaham, County Durham.

Bosses revealed earlier this week they aim to create 1,200 jobs at the site over the next three years to support companies across the digital, energy, retail and insurance sectors and take on work returned from overseas.

The family-owned operation, which already has 60 people at Seaham, wants staff for IT, HR, training and support roles.

Nic Marshall, chief executive, told The Northern Echo he was extremely confident about ResQ’s North-East venture, highlighting the potential it has to attract workers from across the region.

He said: “We are very proud of what we have done here.

“The people were the real draw for us; this is a big area and we aren’t far from Sunderland, Peterlee and Hartlepool, and we also have the A19 on the doorstep, while there are people who are going further North too.

“We are looking for 400 by the close of the year.

“That would tee 2017 up nicely so we can really get on.”

Mr Marshall said ResQ, which already employs nearly 700 staff in Hull, needs Seaham to cater for its continuing contract successes, adding more businesses are realising the benefits of having UK-based call centres.

He also dismissed naysayers’ fears its jobs plan may be unachievable.

He added: “Someone can say they can do it for half the price in Bangalore but what companies are realising is that some people are not getting what they want first time.

“Therefore, they go away disgruntled or make another call, meaning the cost is negated.

“Businesses spend a lot of money on building their brand and there is a place for offshore call centres.

“But that is not what we are all about; we are about high-quality service and customer satisfaction.

“We are not here speculatively, we are here purposefully.

“Our jobs plan is a big number and there will be sceptics, but we know how we are going to do it.

“This is realistic.”

ResQ has been supported by Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business division on its expansion.

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, added: “This is fantastic news for the local economy.”