Business

Cayan ‘boldly goes’ where no office space has gone before

Paul Nulty (left) and Benny O’Neill avail of the online gaming area in Cayan’s Belfast office
Paul Nulty (left) and Benny O’Neill avail of the online gaming area in Cayan’s Belfast office Paul Nulty (left) and Benny O’Neill avail of the online gaming area in Cayan’s Belfast office

PAYMENT technologies provider Cayan has completed a £5.7 million transatlantic investment programme which has redefined its office in Belfast and headquarters in Boston.

Living up to its reputation as an employee-focused business, Cayan undertook a radical office design and refurbishment to reflect its pivoting culture, personality and values.

The investment has seen a combined 64,500 sq ft of office “house” feel more like a “home” for Cayan employees, with living room-styled meeting spaces complete with funky armchairs and vast kitchen/deli dining areas fitted out with full-size pool tables and relaxation areas.

The aim has been to create friendly, informal working spaces which promote collaboration and idea sharing across departments.

“Cayan is building the future of payments in both Boston and Belfast – so we wanted every inch of our office space to reflect our evolving journey,” its co-founder and chief executive Henry Helgeson said.

“We’re not a formal, stuffy business, nor are we advocates of the ‘meeting room mentality’ as we believe this can stifle creativity. Instead we encourage open-minded thinking and, as the best ideas often come from the kitchen, we’ve incorporated breakfast bars and high stools where teams can meet informally over a coffee and share ideas together. ”

The fit-out of Cayan’s sci-fi themed City Quay’s offices in Belfast also includes innovations such an online gaming area, where employees are encouraged to create ‘across-the-pond’ comradery with their Boston counterparts, and a board room where the table converts into a table tennis table for staff use!

Following its launch in Northern Ireland in 2013, Cayan (www.cayan.com) has grown its initial headcount of 15 to a workforce of 160 employees with a further 20 new positions expected to be filled by the end of July. In Boston it employs 230.