Dutch-owned software provider, TOPdesk has announced a further potential £2.3 million investment into its Manchester operations.
It comes as the UK tops the world ranking for inward investment, having over-taken the USA, which previously held the number 1 spot since 2014.
TOPdesk creates service management software and is based in Delft, the Netherlands. It has been in Manchester since 2014 and today has announced a substantial expansion in the city.
Its new hub was unveiled at premium business location, City Tower, building upon its initial investment in the city centre over the past 5 years. The business’s expansion in the Manchester area was supported by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in partnership with the region’s inward investment agency MIDAS.
The expansion in the city represents plans to solidify the Manchester office as its UK growth hub in tandem with its London office. The larger site will allow the company to meet its growing client list in the area and take advantage of Manchester’s competitive operating costs, skilled graduate population and community of tech innovation professionals.
The new office replaces previous premises in Barclay House, providing a larger space with the potential to create around 40 new jobs, adding to the 750+ people currently employed across 10 countries.
Recent OECD figures show that by the end of 2018, the UK had more investment stock than Germany, Spain and Poland combined. This represents the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for foreign investment, which reached a record high of $1,890 billion by the end of 2018.
Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Investment said: “TOPdesk’s new expansion in Manchester is a further sign of the city’s growing tech talent. Increasingly the world’s biggest tech names are looking to the North of England to invest and are solidifying the UK’s position as undisputed tech leader in Europe.”
“Our tech sector earned £6.3 billion in venture capital investment in 2018, contributing to our position as the top destination for FDI flow in the world”.
David Cape-Brown, Branch Manager & Head of Recruitment at TOPdesk UK said: “Our TOPdesk adventure in Manchester has been hugely rewarding so far and location has been a key ingredient of the continued growth of our customer base here in the UK.
“Excellent trade fairs like the IP Expo at Manchester Central and superb Universities with a fresh supply of top talented graduates is integral to our networking and recruitment success.
“Our northern hub has amplified our powerhouse status within the software industry and facilitated the positive impact of TOPdesk events such as SEE and TOPdesk on Tour.”
Tim Newns, CEO of MIDAS said: “Since helping TOPdesk establish operations in Manchester in 2014, we have continued to work closely with the team to embed them within the city region’s diverse cluster of innovative tech companies and establish a reputation as a leading, Northern software firm.
“As well as being responsible for attracting new business investment to Greater Manchester, MIDAS also helps existing companies grow within the region and TOPdesk is a shining example of how we can help international firms tap into Greater Manchester’s academic and professional resources, as well as the city’s deep talent pool, in order to thrive here.”
