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A mass exodus is feared at Cardiff contractor Stradform after its takeover by French construction giant Vinci.

About 10 senior staff have already been made redundant at the 拢75m-turnover firm鈥檚 Cardiff and Bristol offices and it is feared more could follow, or jump ship amid the uncertainty.

It is understood that Vinci has closed Stradform鈥檚 Bristol office and moved the remaining employees to Vinci鈥檚 Norwest Holst subsidiary a mile away.

The redundancies include Martin Vaughan, Bristol regional director, and five board members of Stradform鈥檚 Fifehead parent group. Those who have left include Vince Gunning, the construction manager, and James Paish, the commercial manager.

One employee said: 鈥淣umbers started to dwindle in November when the deal was announced. Now that it鈥檚 actually happened, it will turn into a stampede.鈥�

It is understood Vinci was mainly interested in acquiring Stradform鈥檚 south Wales business, where it has no presence. Staff at the firm鈥檚 Birmingham office have reportedly been transferred to Vinci鈥檚 Weaver subsidiary.

Stradform staff are understood to be angry at the way the redundancies were made. A source near the deal said: 鈥淭he HR director thought everything was fine one day and was told he was going the next. You鈥檇 expect the HR director to know what鈥檚 going on.鈥�

Another employee said: 鈥淲e had no idea what was going on and lost work as a result. It is awkward when you can鈥檛 tell clients who is staying or going.鈥�