New Welsh base for Sword Group creates 200 new IT Posts

Welsh graduates and IT professionals are being asked to put their skills to the SWORD when the global technology firm of the same name opens in South Wales next month.

Around 200 new posts will be created by the SWORD Group at its new European research and development centre as the international company opens its first office in Wales.

The majority of the roles focus on IT and SWORD Groupís chief operating officer, Heath Davies, says it represents a massive opportunity for Welsh graduates and IT professionals.

He said: We believe the 200 jobs being created at Cwmbran will prove very attractive to the Welsh market and we hope to tap into the rich pool of resources we believe the region offers.

ìAs a Welshman myself I have seen other companies recognise the potential of Wales and am delighted that SWORD too has endorsed this country as a first-class location. It has a highly-skilled and experienced workforce, and world-class universities whose graduates have what it takes to help businesses flourish. I believe Wales will provide us with the elements needed to make our centre a true success.î

The Cwmbran centre, a key strategic location for SWORD, will facilitate product research and development as well as providing strategic assistance to the groupís international operations.

The facility, which will take the total headcount of the group in the UK to more than 1,000, will also be responsible for business process outsourcing activities.

Among the numerous technical positions the group is looking to fill are the roles of systems developers, database administrators and systems analysts.

On the business process outsourcing side of the business there are currently a number of key opportunities for experienced claims advisors and policy administrators within the health insurance practice.

SWORD was awarded a 3.6m regional selective assistance grant from the Welsh Assembly in support of the initiative to enable the technology company to establish a presence in Wales and expand the groupís UK-wide offering.

The SWORD Group is headquartered in Lyon, France with over 1700 people across 14 countries. The Group has a forecasted turnover of Euro 180m for 2007 and is on target to reach Euro 400 m in 2010.