Barclays

The specialist department based at Doxford International Business Park handles calls with Barclays customers worldwide, whose bank accounts or cards have suffered potential fraud. More than 200 new positions from front-line staff to management were created with the move.

Christine Allenson, Barclays Sunderland site president, says that "Sunderland was chosen for the new fraud detection division because we have been able to prove the exceptional service we can provide to our customers.

"We need people with life experience who are able to really connect with customers during what can be a difficult and emotional time, when there is suspected fraud on their account."

Sunderland is also benefitting from the continuing roll-out of Barclays' video banking service, which allows customers to speak face-to-face with advisors via their computers, smartphones and tablets, 24 hours a day.