Consultant's chief exec warns staff of coming redundancies and delays annual pay review for six months

Engineering consultant Atkins is planning up to 210 redundancies in the Middle East.

According to a letter sent by chief executive Keith Clarke to staff today, an annual pay review in April will be also shelved until October.

Keith Clarke
Clarke: "With regret, roles will be made redundant in those parts of the group which are experiencing increasing uncertainty and worsening market conditions"

He wrote: 鈥淲ith regret, roles will be made redundant in those parts of the group which are experiencing increasing uncertainty and worsening market conditions. Starting this week, 200 colleagues in the Middle East commenced redundancy consultation as a result of the recent decline in the Dubai building design business.鈥�

The company said 170 jobs will go in Dubai on top of a further 40 at its Manila office in the Philippines, which serves the region. The redundancies follow job cuts at rival firms, although Atkins is considered to be one of the better-placed groups because of its size and heavy public-sector focus.

Clarke continued: 鈥淚 believe that by acting decisively and firmly from our current position of strength we will emerge stronger and better from these uncertain times. We are a solid group, with excellent people and a proven track record of delivery.鈥�

Topics