A leading IT company is creating 26 new jobs in Northern Ireland.
Version 1’s new Oracle Competency Centre will be based in Belfast to provide support to both local and international businesses. Version 1 made its announcement alongside Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster MLP.
Invest Northern Ireland has offered £359,000 of support, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, for the Centre.
The new centre will further enhance Version 1’s ability to provide market leading Oracle business solutions and support services to Irish and International businesses across all industry sectors. The positions available in the new centre include opportunities for senior and junior Oracle consultants.
Commenting on the announcement Justin Keatinge, managing director for Version 1 said: “We are delighted to announce our investment in Belfast. Northern Ireland has a highly educated talent base of IT professionals and we look forward to establishing a strong and successful team.
“Version 1 was the first Irish company to become an Oracle Platinum Partner. We are committed to continuously investing in and developing our partnerships and we are delighted to be in a position to further expand our Oracle expertise to deliver innovative solutions and services for our customers.”
Version 1 provides complete end-to-end IT solutions and employs 300 staff at its Dublin headquarters and regional offices. Privately funded since its inception in 1996, Version 1’s major shareholders are founders Justin Keatinge, John Mullen and company director Tom O’Connor.
The company has grown strongly in recent years; revenues increased by 40% in 2011 to €24.5M (£20M) and forecasted growth in 2012 stands at 25%.
An Oracle Platinum Partner and Microsoft Country Partner of the Year 2011, Version 1 has extensive expertise across a range of technologies and in depth experience within the utilities, public, financial, pharmaceutical, retail, education and health sectors. Customers include Airtricity, the energy provider; 123.ie, the insurance provider; Irish Life, the financial services provider; Telefonica o2, the communications provider; and many state agencies and government department including Land & Property Services, the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.
Version 1 has received a number of prestigious awards recently including IT Project of the Year at the ICT Excellence Awards, the Great Place to Work Best Large Workplace Award, the CIPD HR Leadership & Innovation Award and the Deloitte Best Managed Company Award.