'The success of our current operations in Belfast was an important factor behind this latest decision to create another 600 jobs', said James Bardrick, Citi Country Officer, United Kingdom. 'The supply of talent in Northern Ireland, particularly at graduate level, is impressive and, coupled with the support from Invest NI and DEL, it makes this region highly attractive to a global company like Citi seeking the best location for growth,' he added.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson speaking at Citi's announcement
Citi first set up in Belfast in 2004 with a technology operation and has expanded the services delivered through Belfat to include Operations & Technology, Legal, Compliance and more recently Human Resources. The expansion by Citi in Belfast has received strong support from both Invest Northern Ireland, which is offering support of GBP5,968,000 and Northern Ireland Department of Employment and Learning which has offered GBP246,000 under its Assured Skills programme.
'This GBP54million announcement creating 600 new jobs by Citi, one of the most prestigious financial services companies in the world, reflects the firm’s confidence in its Belfast operations and its continuing commitment to Northern Ireland,' said First Minister Peter Robinson. 'The Financial Services sector is at the heart of the economy and the decisions and transactions that take place in Belfast will impact across the globe. The GBP35,000 salary that these jobs will attract reflects the skill set and calibre of individuals required to fulfil these roles.'
The ramping up of operations by Citi in Belfast will inject over GBP21 million of new salaries into the local economy.
'Citi’s presence here over the past ten years has played a major role in developing the financial services sector both in providing jobs and training. This reinvestment will create much needed highly skilled jobs and also increase the skills base of the financial services sector by introducing specialist investment banking functions,' said the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness. Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster describing Citi as 'the foundation of Northern Ireland’s Financial Services sector' said 'the investment will increase the skills base in the sector and sends out another strong message of support for what Northern Ireland can offer international investors.'