More than 200 jobs are to be created in Galway by a global technology company following the establishment of its European headquarters in the city.
Plans by Diligent Corporation to open new international offices in Galway were announced by local Fine Gael TD and Minister for International and Road Transport and Logistics Hildegarde Naughton on Monday.
The leading tech firm has developed applications to streamline management functions, collaboration and secure information sharing currently used by more than half of the Fortune 1000 companies, as well as 70 percent of the FTSE 100.
Minister Naughton said that Diligent has decided to create more than 200 local jobs in Galway in the areas of customer support, finance, HR and marketing. Its investment has been supported by the Government through the IDA.
“At a time of uncertainty in many respects for the regional, national and international economy, this is a massive vote of confidence in Galway and its ability to attract investment from both foreign and domestic enterprises,” she said.
Massive company
“Diligent is a massive company of international repute, whose technologies are trusted by some of the largest global corporations and most influential brands. It is continuing to grow and I am very pleased that it has chosen Galway to be its springboard to even greater success in Europe.”
Minister Naughton said that the quality and reputation of Galway’s graduates, as well as the city’s infrastructure and quality of living remained key factors to attracting investment from global employers.
Diligent is headquartered in New York and develops cloud-based applications to streamline the day-to-day work of boards of management and committees, as well as supporting collaboration and the secure transfer of information.
Minister Hildegarde Naughton described the commitment to create more than 200 jobs as a massive boost to the local economy in Galway and the broader western region.
“We’re competing in a time of unprecedented uncertainty, but this demonstrates that there are opportunities as well as challenges amid the global flux of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the Galway West TD.
“It’s our responsibility to ensure that we remain adaptable and well-placed to avail of those opportunities, and we are succeeding in that regard – we remain a safe and stable investment location, and our educated and skilled workforce are second to none.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D, said that this is great news for Galway.
Rich pool of talent
“By choosing to establish their European hub in the county, Diligent Corporation can look forward to accessing a rich pool of talent to fill these 200 jobs this decision will create.
“I wish them the very best with the development and hope they continue to build on their relationship with Ireland,” he said.
“With our new international office in Galway, Diligent is making a critical investment to accelerate our growth strategy and attract exceptional talent to our team,” said Brian Stafford, CEO of Diligent.
“The key to our continued success is great people who are committed to our mission of providing clients with insights and technology to power modern governance. The excellent talent available in the Galway community will support the nearly 50 percent of our client base located outside of the US, enabling us to enhance the customer experience and achieve our long-term goals.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland, said the commitment to more than 200 new jobs by Diligent is a welcome boost to the economy of Galway and the West region.
“It is a huge vote of confidence in Ireland and demonstrates our continued agile and adaptable business environment at a time of unprecedented global flux due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“Ireland offers a safe and stable investment location with access to the EU market, an educated and skilled workforce and an attractive environment where people want to live and work.”
Galway Chamber welcomes the announcement of the creation of 200 jobs in Diligent Corporation’s new European hub in Galway.
Diligent Corporation is a US firm that provides communication software to thousands of international companies. It has around 19,000 client companies around the world, providing specialised applications that allow board members to communicate securely.
J.P. Gilmartin, President of Galway Chamber says it is encouraging news for Galway.
“This announcement of high-value jobs is another vote of confidence for Galway, and testament to the talent and capability we have in the region,” he said.
Senator Ollie Crowe said “Diligent Corporation’s decision to establish their European Headquarters in Galway which will create over 200 jobs here is a significant boost for the county. Although Ireland has always done very well in terms of foreign direct investment from the United States, with Ireland now the only English-speaking country in the European Union, there is an opportunity to enhance this level of investment further and it is important Galway is promoted as being an excellent option in this regard.
“In addition to the very welcome creation of over 200 jobs, the decision of Diligent Corporation to host their EU headquarters here will assist in highlighting Galway to a market now seeking options outside the UK.”
