Global information technology and business process services firm to hire 250 professionals in Glasgow area - almost doubling its Scottish workforce
CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) today announced it will open a centre of excellence for open source software development in Glasgow. The Open Digital Services Centre will be established in early 2014 and is expected to lead to the creation of around 250 new jobs. This new facility will become a centre of excellence and deliver open source software development services to CGI’s clients across the European public and commercial sectors.
CGI expects to recruit around 250 professionals within two to three years to support the projected business that will be delivered from the Centre. The roles will range from highly skilled technical and managerial staff, to graduate and apprenticeship entry level opportunities.
The recognition of Open Source software as a preferred option to deliver fast and flexible solutions for clients is increasing, not least due to both the Scottish and UK governments’ commitment to Open Standards Principles. The new Open Digital Services Centre will allow CGI to further consolidate its world-class capability and provide clients with the best mix of solutions for their evolving digital needs.
Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister said, “The move by CGI to create 250 skilled jobs is very positive and is a yet another welcome boost for Scottish employment, reinforcing our position of out-performing the UK for securing inward investment. This is testament to both the skill of the Scottish workforce and the confidence international companies have in Scotland as a country to invest in.”
Anne MacColl, Chief Executive, Scottish Development International, said, "Together with colleagues across Scottish Enterprise, we’ve been working closely with CGI over the past year to understand their business and identify where Scotland can add most value to their global operations. That CGI has chosen Scotland as the location for its new Centre of Excellence against global competition is testament to Scotland’s growing reputation as a world leader in software development and in delivering major international projects.”
Scottish Development International has provided CGI with assistance, including a grant to support the development of the new centre and recruitment into these new roles.
(from left to right) Tim Gregory, CGI UK President, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, Dr Lena Wilson, CEO Scottish Enterprise
Tim Gregory, UK President of CGI, said, “The two main reasons we selected Glasgow as the location for our new centre were the talent pool of highly skilled professionals available in the area, and the support we received from the Scottish Government. We are very excited about the future for this area of our business.”
Open source software can offer CGI’s clients with benefits including reduced dependence on specific software vendors, lower total cost of ownership and easier customisation through the wider use of open standards.
CGI has clients in Scotland from sectors as varied as oil and gas, financial services, energy and utilities and the public sector. At present CGI has around 250 members in Scotland based in offices in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, at client sites and working from home.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 69,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annualized revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$18 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB).Website: www.cgi.com.
About Scottish Development International
Scottish Development International (SDI) is a partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which works to attract inward investment to Scotland and helps Scottish based companies to trade overseas. www.sdi.co.uk
For more information:
Jenny Thorpe
Head of UK External Communications
jenny.thorpe@cgi.com
+44 (0)7771 815428
