ONE of the world's biggest IT and business consulting services firms is creating 50 jobs at a new hub in Belfast.
Canada-headquartered CGI, which has 90,000 consultants and professionals globally and which last year had revenues of nearly $13 billion (about £8 billion), took the decision to locate here following a virtual visit in 2020 during the height of Covid.
And the creation of the roles - ranging from graduate to senior consultant and which will be a blend of office and home-based - will pump an additional £2 million a year in annual salaries into the north's economy according to Invest NI, which is supporting the inward investment.
CGI, which launched in 1976 and is listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges, delivers strategic IT and business consulting along with systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions.
Its services help its clients achieve business agility, applied innovation and financial benefits.
Its vice-president Lindsay McGranaghan, who is business unit leader for Northern Ireland and Scotland, said: “We're excited to come here, to bring on great talent, and to collaborate with the local universities to discuss how we can help them develop new services.
“Our business model is different to most. Our team are the heart of our business, which is why most are shareholders, and they have the freedom to drive their careers, make decisions in the best interests of clients, take part in the continuous improvement of our company, and benefit from a job well done.
“Importantly, we live and work near our clients to provide a high level of responsiveness, partnership, and innovation. We work hard to understand their needs and collaborate to meet their goals and advance their business goals.”
Invest NI's interim chief executive Mel Chittock said: “The consulting team here will work alongside CGI’s global delivery network to ensure clients have access to best-fit digital capabilities and resources to meet their end-to-end needs.
“These are high value consulting roles and will play an important role in the CGI network.
“With a hub in Belfast, the company plans to create the 50 new jobs by 2026, with 16 already in place.
“The roles will appeal to a diverse range of individuals, and it is hoped the high value positions will also attract back, and attract in, fresh talent from markets including RoI and GB.”
Mr Chittock added: “This is a great win for Northern Ireland, and the attraction of this global brand is a further endorsement of the region’s world-class professional services capabilities.”
