Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Teleperformance announces major investment in Northern Ireland

Teleperformance, one of the world’s leading providers of intelligent contact centre and CRM solutions, today announces support from Invest Northern Ireland for a £6.5m investment in Newry.

The investment will see Teleperformance develop a new 23,000 square feet contact centre in Newry to specifically deal with new business arising from several major new contracts.

Invest NI has offered £2.25m of assistance towards the total project which aims to create 450 jobs by 2010 - delivering £5.5m annually in wages and salaries.

Teleperformance already has a 700 seat contact centre in Bangor, Co Down. This latest investment will almost double their capacity.

Leslie Morrison, Chief Executive, Invest NI said: “This is a positive step for the contact centre sector in Northern Ireland as it demonstrates the strength of the sector and the value it brings to the local economy.

“Teleperformance has, for the past 10 years, made a valuable contribution to Northern Ireland. The development of a second centre in Newry will clearly help to reinforce the company’s position locally, while building Teleperformance’s global presence.”

Jeff Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Teleperformance added: “Northern Ireland continues to provide Teleperformance with a quality workforce and an infrastructure that has helped to support the rapid growth of our company since our first centre was established in Bangor, Co. Down in 1997.

“With that site nearing capacity and with a number of new contracts to service, the Newry centre will ensure we continue to be able to deliver high levels of customer service to our growing client base, whilst in addition providing the necessary flexibility to take advantage of future opportunities in the marketplace. As the world’s leading provider of outsourced contact centre services we at Teleperformance are delighted to yet further increase our presence and commitment to Northern Ireland.”

Notes to Editors:

Please contact Tina Stanley, Tina Stanley & Associates PR (TSA PR) for further information, interviews and photographs of the new building. Telephone/fax 01491 410250, tina@tinastanleyassoc.com, mobile 07909 967 657.

The new contact centre will be based at the Quays in Newry.

Invest NI has offered £2,250,000 of assistance towards the total project costs of £6,487,000.

Teleperformance currently employs 700 at an existing site in Bangor, Co Down.

Teleperformance is the UK’s 3rd largest outsourced contact centre provider and part of the Teleperformance Group, the world’s 2nd largest outsourced contact centre and CRM provider.

Teleperformance in the UK currently employ over 2,200 in a nationwide network of contact centres. Locations include Bristol, Ashby De La Zouch, Birmingham and Bangor, Northern Ireland.

Invest Northern Ireland

Invest Northern Ireland works with individuals, companies and organisations in manufacturing and tradable services which show the ambition and commitment to grow by being more innovative, more entrepreneurial and more internationally focused.

Invest NI’s resources are focused on assisting our clients to improve competitiveness, increase innovation, promote a stronger international focus and create more positive attitudes to enterprise.

Invest NI’s full range of support and services is delivered through local offices in Belfast,