PwC to create almost 800 new jobs in Belfast

By Q Radio News

PriceWaterhouseCoopers is to create almost 800 jobs at a new centre in Belfast.

The 771 posts are part of a £40 million investment in the firm’s Advanced Research and Engineering Centre, which will open in the city centre next month.

The new technology and operational jobs will be created over the next five years.

Welcoming the announcement new Economy Minister Paul Frew said: "This significant investment by PwC is a vote of confidence in the talent of our local workforce and the success it has already achieved here. With almost £10million of support from Invest Northern Ireland towards the new centre, this investment will lead to the creation of almost 800 new jobs which will generate approximately £25million in additional annual salaries for our economy.

“The new Advanced Research and Engineering Centre will drive future innovations in technology. It will enhance our reputation as a world leader in technology innovation and our capabilities in important research areas such as robotic process automation (RPA), workflow automation, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

“These are the areas highlighted in ‘10X Economy’ – our strategy for positioning Northern Ireland amongst the best small economies – as vital for lifting our economy onto the next level.”

The Minister added: “I’m also pleased that it will bring together Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University to develop joint research teams with an additional 38 roles to help deliver the centre’s research and engineering programme, showcasing once again the strong industry and academic collaboration that Northern Ireland has to offer.”

The new jobs will be based in the company's headquarters in Merchant Square, Belfast.

Kevin Holland, Invest NI CEO, also welcomed the company investment: “We’ve been working with PwC since 2011 and, with our support, the local management have successfully positioned NI as a key hub for PwC UK, helping to grow its presence in Northern Ireland from 650 employees to over 2,500. I am delighted that we have been able to secure the company’s further growth ambitions in Northern Ireland, with the Research and Engineering Centre as the latest outcome of our working relationship.

Invest NI CEO Kevin Holland welcomed PwC’s announcement of 771 new jobs as part of £40m investment in a new Advanced Research and Engineering centre here.

The tech and operational jobs will be rolled out over the next five years. pic.twitter.com/yM58MeG1OJ

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 16, 2021

“PwC is an excellent example of a company recognising the importance of investing in research and development (R&D) and its people for future growth. Our R&D support will help it to develop new, innovative products and ways of working, streamlining processes for its people and providing a unique competitive advantage. Our support towards new jobs will help to build a world-leading Research and Engineering team in the heart of Belfast, while also securing PwC’s commitment to recruit a significant number of additional roles that will generate significant economic impact for Northern Ireland.”

(Economy Minister Paul Frew (second right) with (from left) Ian McConnell, Partner Lead PwC Operate, Kevin Holland CEO Invest Northern Ireland and Deborah Stevenson, Senior Manager PwC Operate UK.)