Skills management demand drives US office opening for InfoBasis

InfoBasis, the skills management expert, is expanding into the US by opening an office this month in Redmond, Washington State.

John Cooke, who co-founded the company four years ago, will become vice-president sales, North America. The new office will service InfoBasisí existing US-based clients, including Microsoft, as well as developing new business in response to increased demand for skills management. The company is already involved in tenders at the request of several US organisations.

ìHaving doubled revenue two years running, we need to take advantage of our strong position now to exploit the huge potential of US market,î said Ashley Wheaton, CEO of InfoBasis. ìExpected growth in this area is one reason why weíre forecasting another 100% increase in revenue in 2006.î

ìWeíll be recruiting staff locally,î said John Cooke, vice-president sales, North America at InfoBasis. ìAnd we plan to put them through intensive training in the UK, in order to assure the high levels of customer understanding and the consultative service which have contributed to our success in the home market.î

Eva Philpot, executive director of US skills body NWCET said, ìThere is a strong demand for tools such as InfoBasis ESI for implementing national skills standards, and we look forward to working closely with InfoBasis in the near future.î

A large part of the expansion will be funded by a second round of investment from Oxford Capital Partners.