Northbrook's investment creates 550 new jobs in province

Northbrook Technologies have announced they are to create 550 jobs in Northern Ireland as part of a £11 million expansion investment programme.

Northbrook Technologies, a subsidiary of one of the biggest personal insurance companies in the US, made the announcement at Derry's Magee campus university on Friday December 7.

The jobs will be created at the company's existing plants in Belfast, which already employs 250 people, and in Londonderry.

The investment into enlarging the company’s presence within the province was helped by Selective Financial Assistance from the IDB of £3.1 million towards costs.

Welcoming the jobs creation, Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan said: “Since the company first set up their centre in Belfast in 1999, Northbrook have been servicing the IT demands of their parent company, the Allstate Corporation of Chicago, which is one of the world's largest property and casualty insurers.

“The company already provides 250 high quality jobs and this announcement means that a further 300 jobs are being created in Belfast and 250 in Londonderry.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Sir Reg Empey said: “An immensely encouraging aspect of this project is not only the substantial boost that it will give to technology employment but that it is bringing jobs into chance to take advantage of the Bridge to Employment initiative to develop rewarding careers in the IT sector.

Commenting on the company’s decision to expand Bro McFerran, Managing Director of Northbrook, said: “We are confident that this new investment will see us build on the success that we have enjoyed over the last three years.

“This new investment is based on a sound commercial decision by Allstate to continue to tap into the available resources in Northern Ireland to secure high quality IT services and skills allied to outstanding cost efficiency, which means that we can further enhance the Group’s software development capability.

“I am delighted that Northbrook have not only expanded their operation in Belfast, through the planned move to a new location at Lanyon Place, but we are also creating a presence in Derry.”

The announcement was also welcomed by Professor Gerry McKenna, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, who said: “Northbrook Technology’s decision to locate on our Science Research Park at the Magee campus is a further endorsement of the University's international reputation for providing cutting edge research in ICT and graduates equipped with the necessary skills to support these knowledge-based businesses.

“We are committed to fully participating in the development of the North-West as a magnet for high growth, high technology businesses, which will drive the development of the knowledge-based economy in Northern Ireland.” (AMcE)