Latest news with #RichardBegbie
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scottish housebuilder axes more than 20 jobs as employees face ‘worry and uncertainty'
It is the second time in two years the firm has been forced to make redundancies JOBS AT RISK Scottish housebuilder axes more than 20 jobs as employees face 'worry and uncertainty' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCOTTISH housebuilding firm is set to axe more than 20 jobs as its employees face "worry and uncertainty". Scotia Homes, based in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, announced it will make the cuts following £2.5million in pre-tax losses. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Scotia Homes announced that it is set to axe up to 25 jobs Credit: Alamy The firm has built homes across northeast Scotland and beyond for over three decades and currently employs 168 people. This is the second time in two years Scotia Homes has been forced to make redundancies. Joint managing director Richard Begbie said the decision to downsize was in response to "current market conditions". Up to 25 jobs are under threat - the majority of which will be made at head office. Mr Begbie told The Press and Journal: "As widely reported, the housebuilding sector is currently facing significant challenges due to a range of external factors. "In response to these market conditions, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the continued strength of our business. "As part of this strategy, we are proposing changes to our workforce structure. We deeply value the contributions of our team, and this decision has not been made lightly. "Scotia Homes remains dedicated to delivering quality homes and building vibrant communities, and these changes will help position us for future growth and continued success in a rapidly evolving market. "It is anticipated that those affected by redundancy will be less than 25 employees." Gordon and Buchan Tory MP Harriet Cross said: "I'm deeply concerned by these redundancies at Scotia Homes and the impact this could have on construction across the north-east. Homebase is set to close ten of its stores, which will soon be taken over by a major supermarket chain "More immediately, this announcement will bring worry and uncertainty for the employees at Scotia whose jobs are at risk, and I hold them in my thoughts at this time. "As one of the biggest house builders in the region, this announcement underlines the significant issues facing the sector, with challenging market conditions causing financial difficulties. "Towns such as Ellon rely on the employment of companies such as Scotia and a local firm making cutbacks like this is a real blow to the area. "I will now be seeking a meeting with the company to discuss this decision and what actions can be taken to mitigate any future job losses.'
The National
12 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Aberdeenshire housebuilding firm to axe up to 25 jobs
Scotia Homes, based in Ellon, said the decision to make some of its workforce redundant is due to 'significant challenges' facing the housebuilding sector. It's the second time in two years that Scotia Homes, which employs around 168 people, has been forced to make redundancies. Joint managing director Richard Begbie said the redundancies were in response to 'current market conditions', the Press and Journal reported. READ MORE: Closure of Alexander Dennis would be 'catastrophic' for Falkirk area, MSPs told Begbie said the decision for the latest round of job cuts was not taken lightly and will predominantly be made at their head office and not from its team of trades. He said: 'As widely reported, the housebuilding sector is currently facing significant challenges due to a range of external factors. 'In response to these market conditions, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the continued strength of our business. 'As part of this strategy, we are proposing changes to our workforce structure. We deeply value the contributions of our team, and this decision has not been made lightly. 'Scotia Homes remains dedicated to delivering quality homes and building vibrant communities, and these changes will help position us for future growth and continued success in a rapidly evolving market. 'It is anticipated that those affected by redundancy will be less than 25 employees.' The firm has been building homes in the north and north-east of Scotland for more than 30 years and has current developments in Kintore, Tarves, Aviemore, Arbroath, Blairgowrie and Brechin. Scotia Homes acquired fellow Ellon-based firm timber kit manufacturer Caledonia Homes for nearly £4.2 million in 2022. The firm was previously controlled by the Bruce family, but the firm is now 95% owned by Camlin Group, a joint venture of property entrepreneurs Bruce Linton and David Cameron, who took over Scotia Homes in 2020.
