Clare Colhoun, chief executive 8over8.
Computer software company 8over8 is to create ten new jobs when it becomes the first anchor tenant at the city’s new £12 million North West Regional Science Park at Fort George.
A global business, headquartered in the city and operating out of regional offices in North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East, 8over8 has been on the look-out for a new Derry base having outgrown its current premises at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus, where it was established in 2000.
At a “topping out” ceremony at the Fort George site today, marking the completion of the roof and glazing of the new 50,000 sq ft premises, the local software firm 8over8 announced it was set to make the state-of-the-art Regional Science Park its new headquarters this summer.
Its new space will account for almost a third of the Regional Science Park facility and will be home to two-thirds of its global team.
Cllr Barney O’Hagan arriving at today’s “topping out” ceremony.
“Derry-based software engineering skills and knowledge are at the core of our business, making the new premises at Fort George the ideal base for us as we continue to grow,” said Clare Colhoun, 8over8 chief executive.
“We saw a niche in 2000, when we set up with a team of just 15. With an ever-increasing international demand for our software, our business plan calls for more than 20 additional hires across the company this year, and ten of these are expected to be in Derry.”
The 8over8 announcement has been welcomed by local Sinn Fein Councillor Barney O’Hagan who attended today’s “topping out” ceremony.
Durkan welcomes 8over8 jobs boost
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has also welcomed the news.
“I am delighted that 8over8 are to be the anchor tenants at the new North West Regional Science Park, and very much welcome the expansion of employment which will see the creation of 10 new jobs.
“Their success is evidence that Derry is a good place for business and that it can be a great base for growing in the global market.”
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