Mike Emmett, QBE group head operational transformation (second from left, seated), leads company officials in signing a contract with Skyrise and Development Corp. officials led by its president Harry Viloria (3rd from left, seated) at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
An Australian-based insurance company is expanding in Cebu, saying the local talent pool can provide the best support services for the firm’s global operations.
QBE will start operations in Cebu this April and is set to hire 600 to 900 employees within the next 18 months.
The office will provide support for insurance claims processing and finance, said Mike Emmett, QBE group head for operational transformation, during yesterday’s signing of the contract with Skyrise Realty and Development Corp.
Over a year ago the company set up its first office in Manila which now has at least 1,100 staff.
“Our next expansion will be here in Cebu where we will grow by 600 to 900 more,” said Emmett.
QBE is present in 50 countries with about 18,000 employees.
Their largest operations are in the United States of America, Australia, United Kingdom and Argentina.
“Soon the Philippines will be in the top five of the largest operations we have globally,” said Emmett.
RECRUITMENT OFFICE
They already launched their recruitment office in Cebu IT Park within the John Clements office, said QBE executive general manager for the Philippines Karen Batungbacal.
“We have shortlisted at least a hundred applicants that we’d like to talk to again. We’re looking for professionals who can help us provide support for human resource management, administration of policies and also on finance and insurance-related processes,” said Batungbacal.
She said that they are optimistic of growth in Cebu or in the country since most of their clients end up liking the kind of service Filipinos provide.
“What we do here is provide mostly internal support. It’s a shared services facility basically in support of our global operations providing insurances across industries like mining,
shipping and more. The Philippines is the only center that provides support services,” said Emmett.
QBE Cebu will occupy the 10th to 11th floor of Skyrise Alpha building which is set to be completed by March.
The 12-storey building is located near Lexmark Research and Development Corp building in Cebu Business Park./REporter Aileen Garcia-Yap