Business

New Google innovation lab is opened in Belfast

Google's operation in Dublin
Google's operation in Dublin Google's operation in Dublin

EUROPE'S first Google Innovation Lab, only the third of its kind in the world, has been opened in Belfast.

It is a joint venture between consultants PwC and the software firm most famous for its search engine.

The lab, similar to operations in New York and Sydney, will work collaboratively with companies across the UK and Europe using digital technology to drive innovation and new ways of working.

Less than 100 miles from Google’s European headquarters in Dublin, it will complement PwC’s technology-enabled operations in Belfast, where there are currently more than 1,300 people.

Paul Terrington, PwC regional chairman in Northern Ireland, said: "The decision to site the first PwC and Google Innovation Lab in Belfast is a huge vote of confidence in Northern Ireland as a location and PwC as a partner.

"PwC's Belfast technology investment is already delivering real solutions to clients in Northern Ireland and beyond; looking to the future, our Google Lab alliance will substantially increase our ability to attract and deliver new global client solutions from Belfast."

Murali Sitaram, Google director of global partner strategy and alliances, said: "We're excited that customers in the UK will be able to benefit from the immersive technology experience at the PwC and Google Innovation Lab in Belfast."

Ashley Unwin, PwC’s consulting leader for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) said the alliance with Google represented a step change in PwC’s commitment to accelerating business growth through technology.

“Over the past two decades, technology has radically changed our lives and, while organisations have tried hard to innovate and reform, most haven’t managed to significantly alter the way their people work," he said.

“Technology has transformed workplace tools, but workplace processes have largely failed to keep pace; that means organisations are falling far short of their potential to innovate through real time collaboration across functions, departments and devices.

“The PwC and Google Innovation Lab represents an alliance for work where organisations can access the PwC and Google collaborative experience and technology to co-create solutions to their digital and business challenges.

“I’m delighted that the PwC and Google Innovation Lab is a first for PwC Northern Ireland where we are already driving technology as a business solution to PwC clients worldwide.”

The PwC and Google Innovation Lab is a key element of a new 11,000 sq m technology facility in PwC’s Waterfront Plaza headquarters in Belfast which is a hive dedicated to developing digital solutions for clients worldwide.