Drivers Jonas to make 30 posts redundant

Drivers Jonas staff were informed last Friday afternoon that consultation would begin from this week for the 30 fee-earning and support posts across its eight UK offices.

Following the continued problems across the economy Drivers Jonas said it has had to respond and make changes in its business.

Nick Shepherd, managing partner at Drivers Jonas, said: ‘The business world has changed so we must respond to this change. One of the big areas that has felt the wind of change is planning and development and construction. Planning and development work makes up 25% of our whole business. We have also seen a reduction in our education sector. The further education body Learning and Skills Council has been hit by funding problems and has put a number of schemes on hold. This has affected our business.’

Shepherd said the business would go through a full and proper consultation period for the 30 posts.

Drivers Jonas was the highest ranking property services firm in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to work for poll this year. It was placed 14th.

In October Drivers Jonas reported increased profits before bonuses and tax but after salaries for equity partners by 7% to £22.5m in the year to 31 May 2008. Since the summer Drivers Jonas has implemented a number of cost saving initiatives and the proposals for redundancies are part of this.