US enterprise service management firm Cherwell Software is locating its new European research and development centre in Dundee.
The office is initially employing 16 development staff, with plans to grow the team in line with company expansion. Operating under the leadership of Abertay University alumni Fraser Patullo, the R&D centre is the first international satellite to the company’s technology team, based in Colorado Springs.
“Dundee offers a rich supply of computer science graduates coming out of Abertay and Dundee universities,” said Patullo, “and the vibrant and dynamic environment and world class infrastructure make it a great place to work and live.
“As a Dundonian myself, I have witnessed first-hand the rise of the digital media industry and the regeneration of the region into a thriving business hub, making it a great place for Cherwell to establish and grow its R&D operations.”
Located in Dundee One, the £1bn waterfront complex, the office will be a focal point for Cherwell’s product innovation, and enhancements to its enterprise software products which are sold in 40 countries worldwide.
The Scottish development team will report directly into Cherwell’s VP of Engineering Josh Turpen and will also work closely with the company’s sales and marketing offices in Reading to offer enhanced support to their growing European customer base.
“As we tackle the growing demands on our engineering staff, the opening of this R&D centre in Scotland enables us to recruit talented computing graduates to join our team of world-class engineers,” said Turpen.
Steve Rodda, chief product officer at Cherwell Software., added: “Our business is expanding rapidly across the globe and experiencing dramatic growth in Europe and Asia.
“As a company, we’re investing 23% of revenue in R&D to deliver our ambitious product roadmap designed to serve the ever-faster pace of innovation required by our customers.”
Since 2004, Cherwell Software has helped thousands of organisations globally to modernise their business operations. The company has been recognised by industry analysts at Gartner, Forrester and IDC, in a market which is expected to reach $30bn by 2020.
In the last two years the company has received investments of $220 million from leading investment firm KKR as part of its Next Generation Technology Fund.
“I’m delighted that Cherwell has chosen the Dundee waterfront to be the home of their European research and development operations,” said Shona Robison, MSP Dundee City East.
“As well as creating 16 new skilled jobs, this is another step in the transformation of the waterfront as a European hub of industry and tourism. Dundee continues to grow its £200m tech sector and I wish Cherwell every success in their local operations.”