Member Article

Skype open new UK base

Skype has opened its new London office, as Parliamentary Under Secretary for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey, cut the ribbon.

The office is in the Chancery Lane area and will house the firm’s UK workforce, which is still growing.

Ed Vaizey, said: “Skype is a company that’s changing the communications landscape, and to be able to learn more about it has been fascinating. I don’t think there are many cities that can compete with London for having such a wealth of knowledge and passion for the technology industry, and for a company like Skype to recognise and nurture this home-grown talent is very encouraging and inspiring to see.

“Tech City may have kick-started the journey, but that certainly isn’t restricted to East London any more, as Skype has aptly proved. Long may Skype’s love affair with London continue.”

Skype’s corporate vice president of Engineering and Operations, Mark Gillett, explained the office was an open, collaborative workspace to create a “start-up feel.”

Neil Stevens, corporate vice president of Regional and Business Development at Skype, said the firm were still looking for great talent.

He added: “We’ve invested heavily in the areas of big data and mobile video (including HD mobile video), two hugely exciting areas of innovation in the global technology industry.

“In the eight months leading up to February 2013, the UK accounted for 33% of Skype’s global staffing, and we see no signs of this slowing. We want people who eat, sleep and breathe technology, and London offers us just that.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .