Rok wins £40m emergency deal

BUILDING services firm Rok had some better news for investors today after landing a £40m deal for home emergency services with insurance giant Axa.

The Exeter-based firm said the three-year contract with Axa subsidiary Inter Partner Assistance would lead to a "significant" increase in the number of home emergency claims it handles, and create 50 new jobs.

The win comes after Rok reported half-year losses of 3.8m earlier this month due to job losses and restructuring at its troubled plumbing division.

Rok, which has also suspended its chief financial officer, called shortcomings in financial and operational controls at the division a "regrettable chapter" in the company's history.