Jobs coming as Affinity Systems expand with new division

A North East IT and telecommunications provider is expanding with the launch of a new division and is planning to take on new staff this year.

Affinity Systems, which specialises in cost effective networks, telephone technology and call management systems, is holding its launch event to celebrate the introduction of a brand new division at its new Sunderland Software Centre office, with the region’s technology companies attending.

Established in 2010 by Sunderland University graduate, Al Yong, the company boasts an impressive portfolio of regional and national enterprise clients. They have recently secured significant investment from Northstar Ventures’ Finance for Business North East Proof of Concept Fund, which will be used to launch Rymote, a remote Cisco engineering division.

Rymote, which specialises in remote network optimisation using Cisco engineering, will celebrate its launch this week at its new base. The company is keen to forge relationships with innovative technology-based companies in the area and invest in local talent, including recent new recruit, Andrew Wilkinson, a Sunderland University marketing graduate who will help drive the division’s marketing strategy.

Rymote business development manager, Tal Widdrington said: “It is an exciting time for Affinity Systems. We are growing the business in many ways, as a result of the Rymote launch, we have recruited Andrew and we are already looking to take on another intern. We have taken up an office at Sunderland Software Centre, which should provide the perfect place for us to grow and develop further.

“The launch event will be a great opportunity for us to make links with IT and technology-based businesses in the North East. We are keen invest in the area’s business offering and the talent coming through from local education provisions.”

She added: “Affinity Systems’ ethos is very much about developing and nurturing new talent, particularly from the University of Sunderland where our managing director studied, and we appreciate the value a graduate can add to a business which is why we joined the internship scheme, which is how we recruited Andrew.”

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Affinity Systems joins a number of companies choosing to build and grow their business at the Sunderland Software Centre. It really is fantastic to see new tenants move into the centre, and to support the growth of businesses in a sector that we absolutely believe can be a real cornerstone to both Sunderland’s and the North East’s economy.

“We are delighted to welcome a business that shares our commitment to drive the city forward as a hub for technology-based businesses as well as our passion to nurture home-grown talent. The centre provides an ideal base for expanding innovative technology companies that are looking for a cutting edge place from which to do business, and the new tenants we are attracting to the centre are just that. We look forward to supporting Affinity Systems with its ongoing growth and launch of its Rymote.”

Affinity Systems plans to take on more staff this year as it launches Rymote and seeks to expand its telephone management packages to attract more public sector clients such as schools and doctors surgeries.

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