LOCAL POLITICIANS COMMENT ON AVIVA’S FUTURE IN PERTH

Published date : 19 March, 2013

CLOSE LINKS AND STRONG SKILLS BASE MEAN CONTINUED PRESENCE OF INSURANCE GIANT BEST OUTCOME FOR ALL

The Scottish National Party’s Mr Pete Wishart MP, Member of Parliament for Perth & North Perthshire and Ms Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Perthshire South & Kinross-shire, have stressed the importance to the Perth economy of the insurance company Aviva as they reacted to reports that the company is examining options as its lease at Pitheavlis comes up for renewal.

Speaking today (Tuesday) Mr Wishart said:

“Aviva is a huge private sector employer which is incredibly important to the local Perthshire economy providing a considerable number and range of jobs in the financial sector. The insurance industry has long historic links with Perth and there are strong ties between the company and the local community and with the local further education sector.

“At Pitheavlis they have a first class facility which is exceptionally well placed for doing business and while I acknowledge that it would be dreadful news for Perth if Aviva were to move away, I am confident that the outcome of this process will be a renewed agreement between Aviva and the owners of the site and a continuation of what has been a mutually beneficial collaboration between the company and the city.

“That would definitely be the best outcome for all concerned.”

Ms Cunningham added:

“I welcome the note that Aviva management have now circulated to their staff in Perth which stresses the talented and skilled employee base they have in Perth and makes clear that the options review is purely a consequence of the looming lease renewal and that remaining in Perth is ‘absolutely’ one of the options being appraised.

“From my discussions with Aviva, I have also learned that they have actually conducted a similar exercise two or three times since acquiring the business in Perth and have not been tempted to move after any of them.

“I know that both landlord and tenant will be looking to secure the best possible deal from their own perspective but the bottom line is that it is in the best interests of both parties – and for the people of Perth – that they quickly reach an agreement which will see Aviva stay in Perth and provide the owners of Pitheavlis with a secure tenant into the long term.”

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