A NORTH-EAST travel insurance specialist has made ten new appointments as it gears up for growth in 2020.

Just Travel Cover, which is based in Sunderland city centre, is preparing for a busy 12 months, with new staff on board to help handle increased call volumes and website enquiries.

The travel insurance provider which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary, has added the new recruits as it prepares for the busiest period of its calendar year, when holidaymakers begin to book their summer breaks.

The business now employs 60 people and offers cover to people of all ages and with pre-existing medical conditions.

It took on two of its new employees via a skills support programme that aims to help people who are unemployed get back into work. The recruits undertook a five-day course with Optimum Skills Solutions, tailored specifically to Just Travel Cover and were guaranteed an interview. Two of the candidates were offered roles, with six of the other additions to the team hired as apprentices and two more coming from other employment.

Andrew Jackson, managing director of Just Travel Cover, said: “We pride ourselves on being an employer that invests in talented people and nurtures their skills, creating opportunities for our team to progress their career with us.

“With the addition of ten new recruits - two of whom have been supported back into employment - we are creating real opportunities for people to embark on and grow a career with Just Travel Cover. We’re delighted to welcome them to the team, hot on the heels of the addition of two new board members to support our growth plans.”

The award-winning business deals directly with customers as well as working with travel agents, insurance brokers, and charities to provide additional routes to its policies.

Mr Jackson added: “We are going from strength-to-strength as a business, with all areas of the company enjoying success.

“Coupled with seasonal spikes in call volumes and growing consumer confidence, we expect 2020 to continue to be a busy year, having already got off to a strong start.”

Just Travel Cover compares prices from multiple insurers to help people of any age with cover for pre-existing medical conditions. To find out more visit www.justtravelcover.com.