The Northern Ireland headquartered IT company Kainos Software is to create 403 new jobs in Belfast and Derry, the North's First and Deputy First Ministers announced on Thursday.
Kainos, which began life as a Queen’s University spin out, provides digital technology solutions to more than 140 clients in the healthcare, government and financial services sectors in Europe and the United States.
The company currently employs 700 people in the North, the UK and at its Polish operations.
The North’s political leaders said the latest expansion project at Kainos was just the latest chapter in a 30 year success story firmly anchored in Northern Ireland.
Peter Robinson said: "The company is now investing in a major expansion, creating 400 new jobs with an average salary in excess of £30,000 here in Northern Ireland. This expansion will drive sales and increase annual revenue by 25 per cent year-on-year, to £94million, over the next three years. This growth will be substantially achieved through increased export sales," the First Minister said.
He said the company was a good example of the type of business that the Executive was committed to supporting to help rebalance and grow the local economy.
The North’s deputy First Minister. Martin McGuinness said the new jobs that Kainos plans to create will in time deliver a £12.4 million boost for the economy in terms of annual salaries.
“These jobs will create opportunities for both highly experienced technical staff as well as graduates entering the world of work. Kainos has kept a sharp customer focus with an emphasis on delivering quality products and services. The Executive is determined to keep creating jobs in the private sector and create an environment which is ‘pro-business’. I am pleased 30 of these new jobs will be based in Derry. We are working to ensure the appropriate support infrastructure for both existing and potential investors is in place across the north of Ireland.”
The North’s regional development agency Invest NI is supporting the Kainos investment project with finance totalling £4.7 million towards the expansion for both job creation and training.
Brendan Mooney, chief executive of Kainos, said the North provided the right environment to help grow its business.
“Our ambition is to develop digital solutions that help our customers work smarter, faster and better, and this depends on having a capable and committed workforce. In Northern Ireland we are lucky to have excellent IT graduates and professionals.
“We bring talented people into the company and provide a career development framework that offers them the support and development they need to thrive. This not only develops a highly talented workforce, but also keep everyone motivated and excited about the future.
“This investment in over 400 new jobs over five years will enable Kainos to accelerate a wide range of global opportunities and achieve our ambitious growth targets,” Mr Mooney added.
