Consultant cuts jobs this week following months of resisting redundancies

Turner & Townsend cut about 90 jobs this week after months of resisting redundancies on the scale of its rivals.

Vince Chancy, T&T chief executive

The losses, which will hit 7% of UK staff, follow an internal consultation.

The move is the first large-scale redundancy programme in T&T’s history. However, the firm has pledged not to cut staff pay; many of the leading QSs have reduced salaries by 12-20%.

A source close to the firm said: “About 90 people have been let go and that’s it for the present time. A fair proportion is in London with bits and pieces around the rest of the UK.”

Vince Clancy, T&T’s chief executive, said: “We’re working hard to ensure we’re position in the best possible way to ride out this recession.”

Meanwhile, rival consultant Currie & Brown suffered a blow after the head of its Building Schools for the Future (BSF) division was poached by contractor Vinci Construction.

Pip Hesketh, who is currently serving out her notice period, is credited with bringing in large contracts for Currie & Brown, including Halton council’s £100m BSF scheme and Nottinghamshire council’s £150m programme.

The news will not be welcomed by Currie & Brown, which has been relying on schools work to help it through the recession. Hesketh said her departure was a private business matter.

She said: “My decision to join Vinci is a positive one, but it is between myself and Vinci.”

In February, Currie & Brown announced an 8% pay cut.