FinTrU creates 300 financial services jobs in Londonderry

The company, which has its headquarters in Belfast, says the job announcement is part of a £20m investment by 2027

Financial services company FinTrU has announced the creation of 300 jobs in Londonderry by 2027.

The company, which has its headquarters in Belfast, said the job announcement is part of a £20m investment.

Supported by Invest NI, the new roles will see FinTrU's north west operation double in size.

The new investment will see the company, which was founded in 2013, grow to more than 1,500 employees in Northern Ireland.

Founder and chief executive Darragh McCarthy described the latest expansion as "a significant step" which will see the firm "significantly increase our competitiveness".

He said the announcement followed the creation of 305 jobs in the city in June 2018.

FinTrU's founder Darragh McCarthy described the latest expansion as "a significant step"

Mr McCarthy thanked Invest NI for its support.

FinTrU employs people in Europe and North America, with offices in Belfast, Londonderry, Letterkenny, Dublin, London, Maastricht and New York.

Kathleen McDermott, an executive director at the company, said the announcement was "phenomenal" for both FinTrU and for Derry.

She said the city had a lot of talent which the company wanted to further tap into.

"We are looking for anyone from a graduate background right up to experienced professionals with this announcement," she said.

Kathleen McDermott says the company sees the potential of Derry and the wider region

Invest NI's interim chief executive Mel Chittock said an announcement of this size and scale did not happen very often and described it is "a huge vote of confidence for the north west".

Mr Chittock said the investment plan "reflects the skills of the people who are from the north west" and said it would allow graduates and school leavers to stay and work in a region.

'Provide opportunities'

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said the announcement demonstrated FinTrU's confidence in the area.

"These roles will strengthen the relationship between Derry and FinTrU which will provide opportunities, improve our economy and create leaders for the future," the SDLP leader added.

Foyle assembly member Gary Middleton said it was "a hugely significant announcement for the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole".

"It is not just the creation of 300 new jobs in Londonderry but an investment in skills development across its Northern Ireland workforce," the DUP MLA said.

Sinn Féin assembly member Pádraig Delargy described the expansion plans as "great news" for the city and region.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the announcement was "brilliant news" and would be "providing a significant boost to the local economy".