160 new jobs for North

An outsourcing company lifted the economic gloom today by announcing it was recruiting 160 extra staff.

Firstsource, based in Derry, employs 600 people at a call centre in the city and another 300 in a Belfast centre.

The Indian-owned company, set up in 2001, employs more than 18,500 worldwide.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan, the local Foyle MP, welcomed the announcement and said: “The creation of a further 160 jobs will give our local economy a much-needed boost.

“The decision by Firstsource to expand their Derry operation both reflects and demonstrates the widespread skills and expertise available in the north west for new and innovative companies.”

The expansion decision also demonstrated the strength of the local outsourcing market, he said.

“With greater capacity for both new and existing clients, they can expect to see growing demand for their services in the future.”

Sean Harnett, the general manager of the Derry operation, said the posts would be filled before January .

He said: “We need customer service and the ability to talk – and obviously people in Derry can do that.”