Anyone worked at (or is working at) Co-op financial services in Manchester

[portseven]

Aparently the new Core Banking Platform is based on Solaris

[DaveB]

Friend of a friend is there atm. Says half the people are overrun with work, the other half hate being there and want to leave.

[AussieDigger]

yeah, I'd avoid Co-Op in Manchester if I were you. Worked there years ago. Never experienced a more mind-numbing workplace in my working life. Couldn't leave fast enough. Talk about 'paralysis by analysis'......geez...think some people had been there too long......they don't listen very well to outside advice which is why stuff takes so long.....only go there if your career doesn't matter as a contractor !

[portseven]

You sure you weren't working at Co-op Funeral Services?

I have done that gig, did a desktop client rollout for them back in 2002, had to visit all the funeral parlours and upgrade PC's. That was a dead end gig

Regards CFS, have a few freinds working there at the moment, aparently its manic at the moment, there is the Brittania Merger, Core Banking Replacement, and Project Unitiy on the horizion.

Half expecting to go there after current contract. Central Manchester is much preferable to Wythenshawe as a working locaiton!

[mailric]

I am there at the moment for my second spell as a contractor.

There is a lot of work at the moment so good news for contractors. There is definately a bit of difference in working culture between the Manchester and the Skelmersdale offices

Oh yes, forgot about lovely Skelmersdale

[VirtualMonkey]

Thanks everyone. Still waiting to hear if they want to bring me on board. Meanwhile ... had a last minute extension (number 11 at current client) come through. Less money, probably the last one but much easier commute. Will have to see

[hatter]

I am there at the moment for my second spell as a contractor.

There is a lot of work at the moment so good news for contractors. There is definately a bit of difference in working culture between the Manchester and the Skelmersdale offices

[ChrisPackit]

You sure you weren't working at Co-op Funeral Services?

I was, though there are (or were) a few of the Co-op buildings along that street / area.

Location is handy for city centre though, but everything else was pants - including project getting canned mid term

[Clippy]

I did a spell there about 8 or 9 years ago, if it's the one on Dantzic St. I must admit it was the most depressing place I ever worked.

Hope this helps

You sure you weren't working at Co-op Funeral Services?

[mailric]

Got a phone interview booked, excellent rate and will probably take it if offered. Just wondered if anyone has worked there before and has any insight into the place, it's working atmosphere, etc

Thanks

Did half a dozen years there as a permie before I went contracting, loads of friends are still there. Some good guys, some plebs - depends which department you end up in. Chances are Change Management as they are recruiting for the bank transformation projects like mad - hence the good rates. Loads of contractors on that project so you can't fail in finding some allies.

Overall, if I hadn't have done it myself for so many years, I'd be there like a shot. Good project, good rates and will likely last for ages.

Although as per the post above... the building does resemble Castle Greyskull. But i've worked in much worse.

[ChrisPackit]

I did a spell there about 8 or 9 years ago, if it's the one on Dantzic St. I must admit it was the most depressing place I ever worked.

Hope this helps

[VirtualMonkey]

Got a phone interview booked, excellent rate and will probably take it if offered. Just wondered if anyone has worked there before and has any insight into the place, it's working atmosphere, etc

Thanks