Northern Ireland's Skills Entices International Investment

Hi Tech jobs for computer programmers will follow on from the news that a leading financial services' software company is to set up in Belfast.

The planned Fidessa Centre will bring a £2.5 investment over three years, which is expected to create 26 skilled software programming jobs.

NI Assembly's Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds said: "Choosing Northern Ireland above the other regions is a growing testament of the added value and high quality of skills we have to offer this ever growing financial services sector."

The new company, the Fidessa Group, is a London-based company with offices in New York, Boston, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Toronto and San Francisco and has revenues of $270m whilst employing over 1,100 people.

The deal has been backed with a £244,000 support grant from Invest Northern Ireland.

Invest NI Chief Executive, Leslie Morrison, said: “I’m delighted that a company of the calibre of Fidessa has chosen to expand its operations by setting up a centre in Belfast.

“It will add to the growing cluster of financial services companies here, strengthening Northern Ireland’s growing international reputation in this key sector.

In response, the Chief Executive of Fidessa, Chris Aspinwall, said: “Opening this office in Northern Ireland forms part of our expansion plans for our software development capabilities, and will provide us with access to the pool of high quality software engineering skills that are available.

“Through this investment, Fidessa will provide exciting career opportunities at the leading edge of the fast-moving, dynamic financial trading marketplace.”

The investment includes a comprehensive training programme for new staff which will create niche skills in a high value market.

(DW)