RESOLUTION Life Group is to merge its two Liverpool operations with a small number of job losses. Resolution will integrate the former Royal & Sun Alliance UK life business (R&SA Life) and Swiss Life UK into one business called Phoenix Life Group. This follows completion of Resolution's acquisition of Swiss Life UK from Swiss Life Group. Last night a spokesman for Resolution said it was too early to say how many redundancies would have to be made or whether they will be compulsory or voluntary. The head office of the combined business will be located at the Edward Pavilion in the Albert Dock, former home of Swiss Life UK, and will employ more than 160 people combined from the Swiss Life UK and R&SA Life companies. The R&SA Life staff working in New Hall Place will move into the Albert Dock premises late summer. The newly-created Phoenix team will manage closed funds with more than £25bn worth of assets and serve 2.25m policyholders with more than 3m in-force policies. There are already some confirmed Swiss Life UK redundancies in Liverpool following the decision to close to new business in 2003 and this process will continue as previously announced and agreed with staff. As part of the transition to Phoenix, Swiss Life UK sites in Waterloo and Sevenoaks will close, with work transferring to Liverpool. Relocation is being offered to the staff in Sevenoaks but, because of the distance between Sevenoaks and Liverpool and the pre-existing enhanced redundancy terms offered by Swiss Life UK, there will be some redundancies in Kent. Phoenix will recruit people in specific financial and actuarial roles in Liverpool during 2005 to replace the skills mismatch that the closure of Sevenoaks creates. Resolution will work with all individuals over the transitional period to help them seek alternative employment. Keith Greenfield, managing director of Phoenix Life Group, said "These are exciting times for Resolution, Phoenix and indeed Liverpool. We are delighted that the Phoenix head office will be based in such a historic part of the city. "It is unfortunate there will be a small number of redundancies but we are likely to be increasing our numbers in the specialist Finance and Actuarial areas." jessicashaughnessy@dailypost.co.uk | 
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