Usually if a Government-related press release arrives late on a Friday evening it concerns some awful economic news. These statements are designed for soft landings, as the assumption is made that people are so delighted to be off work for two days that they don’t care what bad news arrives from the halls of power. Well, thankfully when I checked the inbox today, an IDA statement released late last Friday turned out to be some rather good news instead.

Batt-man strikes again.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Innovation Batt O’Keeffe TD was announcing that Spencer Stuart, a leading executive search consultancy firm, is to establish a multi-million euro global technology and knowledge centre in Dublin. The project will create approximately 100 highly skilled positions over five years in software development, IT support services as well as in information and data quality with the support of Government through IDA Ireland.

“The centre will be responsible for research, design, development, deployment, and ongoing R&D for system and business process improvement for the organisation” said Rick Abel, chief technology officer at Spencer Stuart.  “We are confident that Ireland will provide the highly skilled technology talent we need to successfully deliver the next generation of our proprietary systems,” Abel added.

Speaking at the announcement Minister O’Keeffe said that “Shortly after taking office, I met senior Spencer Stuart executives in their Chicago offices where we discussed their business model and investment opportunities in Ireland.  Almost three months on, the Government is delighted to announce 100 jobs in Spencer Stuart and the firm is a welcome addition to Ireland’s thriving internationally traded services sector.

“Firms operating in the internationally traded services sector have located and expanded in Ireland because of our innovative workforce, low-risk environment, excellent infrastructure and favourable corporate tax rate.  Spencer Stuart’s decision to hub here shows Ireland has established itself as a top location for innovation-led knowledge-based global investments”, concluded the Minister.

Spencer Stuart is one of the world’s leading executive search consulting firms. Privately held since 1956, and employing over 1200, Spencer Stuart applies its extensive knowledge of industries, functions and talent to advise select clients and address their leadership requirements. Through 51 offices in 27 countries and a broad range of practice groups, Spencer Stuart consultants focus on senior-level executive search, board director appointments, succession planning and in-depth senior executive management assessments.