Multi-award winning technology company Allstate Northern Ireland today laid the foundation stone at its new headquarters on the banks of the River Lagan, a further indication of the company’s long term commitment to Northern Ireland.
Minister for the Economy Simon Hamilton joined Suren Gupta, Allstate Executive Vice President, and John Healy, Allstate NI Managing Director to lay the foundation stone at the new Belfast Headquarters building.
Allstate NI's 1,300 Belfast based employees will make the new headquarters their home by January 2018. Over six floors will be large, sociable working spaces, a restaurant, outdoor terrace and high tech software development labs.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said: “Allstate has been a significant part of the business landscape here for almost 20 years. It’s great to see that the company is continuing to invest in Northern Ireland. The fact they are choosing to locate this impressive headquarters in Belfast demonstrates confidence in our highly educated workforce, competitive cost base and our research and development capability. This is further proof that Northern Ireland is an attractive base for award winning international companies.
My number one priority is to attract more and better jobs to Northern Ireland. I want our brightest and best young people to be able to find their dream job in Northern Ireland rather than having to leave our shores in search of work. Allstate NI has participated in innovative research and development projects in conjunction with our local universities. I am delighted that research and development labs are a key part of this new building. This work takes advantage of the research expertise and capability available in Northern Ireland and I am sure this will be of strategic benefit to the Allstate business globally.”
Suren Gupta said, "Northern Ireland is an excellent source for talent, and the Allstate NI employees play a vital role in our strategic global technology delivery model. Our investment in this new flagship office in Belfast demonstrates our commitment to Northern Ireland.”
“The new Belfast office will be a ground-breaking facility for Allstate”, said Allstate NI Managing Director, John Healy. “The new development increases the size of our current Belfast office and gives us the opportunity to create an inspirational working space fit for a world-class technology organization with a commitment to innovation, imagination and building digital technology of the future. Technology will be at the heart of our progressive new workspace, and it will give everyone at Allstate NI the freedom to work creatively and collaboratively.”
The new Allstate building represents a total construction investment for Northern Ireland of £30+ million, will sustain 150 construction jobs for 2 years and will provide a much needed stimuli for the local economy by utilising local construction trades, materials and suppliers. The new building, located between central station and the River Lagan includes over 140,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space, extensive refurbishment of the towpath and adjacent boat marina and a restaurant unit at ground level with unrivalled views of the river.
Allstate NI have worked collaboratively with renowned architects WDR-RT-Taggart and construction company O’Hare & McGovern to create a new headquarters that is inspirational, distinctive and built for innovation.
News of the new building comes after a stellar year for Allstate NI which has seen the company crowned the ‘Most Impactful Tech Multinational’ at the Digital DNA Awards, winning the ‘Best Place to Work Award’ for the fifth time at The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards and receiving the ‘Long Service Award’ and ‘National Gold Employer of the Year Award’ from Investors in People.
Allstate NI has a well-established Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme that is very active in the wider community. In addition to this, Allstate NI will introduce numerous new socially responsible projects in conjunction with local community groups, schools and charities to help a wide, diverse range of people in the vicinity of the new building.
Photo caption: Minister for the Economy Simon Hamilton joined John Healy, Allstate Northern NI Managing Director and Suren Gupta, Allstate executive vice president to lay the foundation stone at the new Belfast HQ of Allstate - Credit (c)PressEye/Andrew Paton
