BGL Group to invest £3m and create 40 jobs at new Sunderland tech hub

Digital distributor BGL Group is creating dozens of jobs by investing £3m in a new Sunderland tech hub.

The centre, forming part of the firm’s premises at St Catherine’s Court, will create employment opportunities for 40 delivery professionals, software engineers, software quality engineers and business analysts.

A recruitment drive is already underway for the first 20 newcomers, who are expected to be in place by June, ahead of further investment and recruitment later in the year.

Sunderland has transformed into a tech hotspot in recent years, with entrepreneur network Tech Nation listing the city among the best places in the UK to launch and grow a digital tech business.

Data suggests there are already around 7,100 digital tech roles based around the city.

BGL, which also operates a tech hub in London, was supported in the project by Sunderland City Council’s inward investment agency MAKE it Sunderland.

BGL is a digital distributor of insurance and household financial services. It currently employs nearly 700 people in Sunderland for its portfolio of motor and home insurance products.

Steven Woodford, chief technology officer, insurance, distribution and outsourcing at BGL Group, said: “BGL has a long track record of investing in Sunderland via our award-winning contact centre, which has been a key local employer for many years.

“We’re very excited now to be expanding that investment into securing new talent with the digital and software engineering skills which will help us drive the future of our business.”

He added: “We looked at a number of locations before choosing Sunderland, but were keen to tap into – and become part of – the city’s growing tech community.”

Sunderland City Council Leader Cllr Graeme Miller commented: “This is great news for Sunderland and for its thriving digital and knowledge economies.

“It’s a further vote of confidence in the city from BGL which already employs many hundreds of people in Sunderland. This new investment in a tech hub will create highly skilled technology jobs to boost the city’s software and digital strengths.”

He added: “We have had a close relationship with BGL for many years and we are delighted they have chosen to invest again and create new opportunities in our city.”

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