Author: Jim O Brien/CEO

CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.

Grow Your Audience On Spotify With These Helpful Tips

Spotify has become one of the most popular music streaming services in recent years. Spotify has millions of users, and Spotify’s audience continues to grow each day. Spotify is available on a variety of platforms, including iOS and Android devices, computers, and even smart speakers like Google Home. This means that you can listen to your favorite tunes from Spotify no matter where you are! This blog post will discuss how you can grow your Spotify audience with some of the most helpful tips

 

Create a Spotify account and upload your music 

The first step in garnering an audience in Spotify is by creating an account and uploading your music. Spotify users can listen to Spotify music for free but will have advertisements in between songs. Spotify also offers a premium version that costs $11.99 per month and allows Spotify users to remove all ads from their playlists! 

 

If you want your audience to buy Spotify streams make sure they are getting the most value by going with Spotify’s paid Spotify program Spotify Premium.Spotify is a great way to gain exposure and build your audience, so make sure you upload all of your music! Make sure all of your song titles are clear so people know what they’re listening to when browsing through the list.

 

Create Spotify playlists

 

Another step in growing your Spotify audience is by creating Spotify playlists that highlight not only the best songs from your album or mixtape but also include some of the most popular tracks from Spotify as well. This will increase your exposure on Spotify. Spotify users can create their playlists, and if you have a playlist that includes popular songs from Spotify it will allow Spotify listeners to find your music more easily! This is particularly helpful for artists who do not already have an audience but are trying to grow their Spotify following by using the Spotify platform.

 

Add an album cover photo 

It is also a good idea to add an album cover photo with one or two members of your band. This will make it easier for listeners to identify which artist is performing each song. Spotify allows you to upload photos in the About section of your Spotify profile.

 

Include a link to your Spotify music

Another way that Spotify can help get more listeners and shares is by linking each song back to your Spotify artist page. This will allow users to click on the album cover, which takes them directly to specific songs. Spotify allows you to insert links on the Spotify platform into each song, which can direct listeners back to your Spotify artist page or any other site that you want them to visit.

 

Follow other artists on Spotify

When you follow other artists on Spotify, you will most likely get their attention. From there, ask them for feedback about your music or to answer a few questions. Spotify is all about community so networking with other artists can be very helpful!

 

  • Spotify fans

Creating Spotify playlists dedicated to your music, and sharing them on your page lets people know that you are an artist they should listen to. Also, by adding people as followers or playlist listeners it shows Spotify that you are an artist people listen to! Spotify will then promote you and your music more often.

  • Spotify promotion

Use Spotify playlists for your benefit by adding all of your songs on certain Spotify lists that contain similar artists or musicians, which could help boost the number of listeners to each track. This is a great way to get noticed! Spotify is all about finding new and great music, so using Spotify playlists for your benefit can help you grow a bigger audience!

 

  • Spotify listeners

Last but not least, Spotify recommends artists similar to the ones that are already on your playlist. If those artists have an active fanbase or following it would be smart to add them as well! Spotify is all about community and letting music lovers listen to different types of genres or artists. You can even use the “Browse” function to find new artists that you might like or be interested in.

 

If you want to get more likes and followers on Spotify, your music must be professional and well-produced. Even if you can’t afford a producer or don’t have access to expensive recording equipment, there are still plenty of things you can do yourself to create better-sounding tracks. It all starts by making sure everything about your account looks as good as possible. This, plus the tips listed above, are all geared to ensure that you effectively increase your audience in Spotify.

Artificial Intelligence a key driver of economic growth and high value jobs in Ireland. #AI

Artificial Intelligence will be a key driver of future economic growth in Ireland, delivering high value jobs and a competitive advantage, according to Liam Cronin CEO of RDI Hub, speaking at the launch of this year’s John McCarthy AI Summer School.

RDI Hub is a not-for-profit partnership between Fexco, Munster Technological University and Kerry County Council, and is hosting the event the two-day event which starts today (September 2nd).

Leading academic and entrepreneurs in the field of AI will gather virtually, and at the RDI Hub in Killorglin, Co Kerry, in a hybrid event to discuss how it can be harnessed for the benefit of societies, with a particular focus this year on the application of AI for wellness.

The Government’s recently published AI – Here for Good national strategy stresses the importance of collaborative research and innovation within the sector and stated that AI has huge potential to help the healthcare sector improve patient experience and provide more accurate diagnosis and intervention.

The second John McCarthy AI Summer School seeks to support Government in realising the ambition of Ireland’s AI Strategy by sharing best practice and fostering further AI research and partnerships. By bringing leaders from academia and business together, the AI Summer School can support the growth of a sector which, according to estimates by PwC, has the potential to boost Ireland’s GDP by 11.6% or €48 billion by 2030.

AI adoption in Ireland is continuing at a rapid pace, with a recent Eurostat report showing that Ireland is the leading country in the EU for AI adoption in businesses. The report found that 23% of companies employing at least 10 people were using some form of AI application, over three times higher than that of France, Germany and the Netherlands.

The real-world application and benefit of AI wellness is becoming more apparent, with several Irish companies using their innovative solutions in the sector. Speaking at this year’s AI Summer School will be:

  • Conor McGinn, co-founder and CEO of Akara Robotics whose smart cleaning and assisted living AI-powered robots have gained international acclaim.
  • Alison Darcy, co-founder of Woebot Health and inventor of the Woebot mental health chatbot.
  • Omar Salem, from Field of Vision, is assisting the visually impaired to enjoy an immersive matchday experience with their AI-powered device which allows people to literally feel a match’s biggest moments.

The John McCarthy AI Summer School is jointly powered by founding partners by RDI Hub, Microsoft, Munster Technological University, the ADAPT Centre, along with new partners Tangent and AI Ireland.

Robert Troy TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said:

“The John McCarthy AI Summer School is an excellent initiative that marks the latest stage in the strong tradition and track record we have in Ireland for innovation and research in the area of AI.

The Government’s new national strategy “AI – Here for Good” serves as a roadmap to how Ireland can leverage the potential of AI for unlocking productivity in our enterprise base, for addressing societal challenges and for delivering public services. We have an ambitious vision for Ireland – to be an international leader in using AI to the benefit of our population, through a people-centred, ethical approach to AI development, adoption and use. It is through collaboration, knowledge sharing and forums such as the John McCarthy Summer School that we can best achieve our vision and continue to improve and respond to the changes that disruptive technologies, such as AI, will make to our economy and society.”

Reidin O’Connor, Community Manager, CEO RDI Hub, said:

“The application of Artificial Intelligence will be a key driver of future economic growth in Ireland. Whilst there are understandable concerns about automation and the impact on jobs, if Ireland can maintain a leadership position, we can build a competitive advantage that supports the creation of thousands of exciting high value jobs. The Summer School is a gathering of the brightest minds in this field, with this year’s event taking a deep dive into the area of AI for health and wellness with both core research and real-life applications of how it is reshaping our future.”

Professor Vinny Wade, Director of the ADAPT Centre and Chair of Artificial Intelligence at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Computer Science and Statistics, said:

“Digital Health is a key research focus for the ADAPT Centre. Our researchers span Medicine, Biomedical Science, Computer Science and Engineering and they are collaborating to drive forward research in rare diseases and eHealth. We are combining cutting edge data science and semantic web technologies to support data integration, data analytics and machine learning for applied clinical research. The AI Summer School provides a platform to drive collaboration and accelerate innovation and we are delighted to be a founding member of this great event now in its second year.”

Dr Kevin Marshall, Head of Education at Microsoft Ireland, said:

“From helping businesses to transform to addressing many of the pressing societal issues that we face, AI has the potential to drive an inclusive recovery. However, in order to harness its full potential, we must increase collaboration between industry and academia and increasingly showcase the many ways in which Ireland is at the forefront of AI and new technologies. 

“That’s why Microsoft Ireland is delighted to once again support the AI Summer School which provides a forum to explore the cutting-edge research in AI and the positive impact it is having on our society.  By working together, we can ensure Ireland develops the in-demand skills and strong innovation ecosystem that is required to become an AI leader internationally.” 

The John McCarthy AI Summer School will feature appearances from some of the leading minds in AI from across the world, and representing industry, academia and state bodies. The full line up consists of:

  • Dr Conor McGinn, Trinity College Dublin, “Data Driven Cleaning – New approach to room disinfection to improve wellness”
  • Dr Heidi Christensen, University Sheffield, “How speech signal technology could be used to advance healthcare”
  • Dr Morten Goodwin, University of Agder, “The obvious secret to making AI for wellness”
  • Dr Lydia Kostopoulos, United States Special Operations Command, “The Emerging Artificial Intelligence Wellness Landscape: Opportunities and Areas of Ethical Debate”
  • Sohini De, Founder of Empeal
  • Dr. Sean McSweeney | Head of Department of Computer Science, MTU
  • Dr. Haithem Afli | NLP/ML Lecturer, ADAPT Funded Investigator and PI at MTU
  • Dr. Siobhan MacSweeney| Head of Research, MTU
  • Brid McElligott| Vice President for Research, Development and External Engagement at MTU
  • John O’Donoghue | Technologies Emerging Technologies Lead, Dell
  • Jon Anthony | CEO and Founder of Adappt technology partners
  • Eugene O Connor | Chief Medical Officer in Altada Technology Solutions
  • Dr. Breda O Dwyer | Head of CEED, MTU
  • Dr. Bruno Andrade | Post-Doctoral Research, MTU
  • Dr. Andrew Shields | Lecturer and Principal Investigator, MTU

John McCarthy, who the RDI Hub building in Killorglin, Co Kerry was named in honour of, was a second generation Irish American and is considered as the father of artificial intelligence through his work as leading computer scientist at Stanford University computer scientist.

Founding partners of the event, the ADAPT Centre, is also launching the ADAPT AI Community Club as a forum to bring AI enthusiasts, researchers and leaders together as a community, to power collective innovation.  This forum is a virtual extension of the Machine Learning Dublin Meetup which already has over 6,000 followers.

Top 5 Latest Trends In HR

Navigating workplaces amidst the pandemic has become more difficult and unique than ever. COVID-19 has left a lasting impact on almost all aspects of our lives and workplaces have specifically been affected the most when we had to switch to a new mode of working. The backbone of these workplaces and organizations are its employees, the HR department works day and night to ensure that these resourceful employees are on the right track. This is why the human resource department has to keep up with the latest trends in the market so that their employees have a comfortable experince and employee retention increases. 

The top 5 essential trends that all HR departments should be following this year are:

1. Virtual Hiring And Onboarding

Ever since work from home has become the new normal the hiring processes had to change too! The conventional interviews, technical tests and onboarding procedures in the office can no longer be continued. The hiring of these new employees when done through virtual interviews has to be followed up in a similar manner. HR can send employee handbooks and other recruitment requirements in a soft copy and over time develop an automated system that sends these essential documents to the new hires. Similarly, a meeting with all the relevant people in the organization may not be possible so video introductions of the management teams and CEO should be recorded as a warm welcome for the employees. This will help mundane working for each new hire and save costs in the longer run! 

 

2. Virtual Learning And Upskilling 

Frequent training and workshops may not be possible anymore; however, the development of skills and learning is needed for the growth of your employees and organization. Our favorite HR trend is to appreciate and enroll employees in online courses on websites like course era and Udemy. This is essential for retaining employees and making the people you already have even more useful. Virtual learning can also be done via company-organized video lectures, meetings, and interactive learning activities. This will help keep the employees engaged even as they stay home.

 

3. Data-Driven Strategies 

HR serves as one of the key departments in the day-to-day working of an organization, making hiring and firing decisions, deciding upon employees’ benefits, employee evaluation, and much more. These decisions can change the dynamics of an organization drastically so incorporating data analysis and trends can help make the best decisions. Decisions will now be made based on metrics and analysis from computer software which have almost no errors. Data-driven strategies can be used by HR to retain employees, design training courses or enrollment, determining the risk areas, insight into employee engagement and motivational behaviors. As the organization progresses based on these strategies the chances of success would become greater. 

 

4. Emphasis On Mental Health

This pandemic has been very vicious to all of us. Companies that recognize the kind of peculiar and extremely difficult time we are going through have the best chance at retaining their employees. Everyone is suffering from distinct problems and support from their organization can help them a lot! The role of HR can be as such that they encourage employees to talk about the things affecting them, organize virtual meetups to keep them engaged, show more empathy and allow them to take breaks, and allow long-term work from home. If the organizational budget allows then mental health applications shall be provided to employees for free to talk to professionals and get the help that they need. Most importantly, create a safe and healthy environment where the work-life balance should be prioritized. 

 

5. Promotion Of Inclusion And Diversity 

Even though more employees may be working from home and interaction between them may be limited; nonetheless, creating an inclusive and diverse environment is necessary to become a well-respected organization. Issues like wage gaps, bias, race discrimination, and sex discrimination are persistent issues that should be addressed frequently. The company should be proactive in putting out their policies against an equal hiring employer, anti-racism, and discrimination this will help the company gain a better public image and increase their popularity. Moreover, the employees will feel safer expressing their concerns and more people would be encouraged to apply for jobs. Addressing D&I issues as a core policy of HR 

 

The future of work has finally arrived and caught up with all these trends is important for any successful company! If you run your own company or you’re an HR professional join the bandwagon now and start your journey to becoming a successful company. 

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 unboxing and walk-through.

The all new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 has just landed and can this be the one that converts people into the flip game? It has been some time since I have used a Samsung device and this one grabbed my attention so we decided to purchase it ourselves and I will now take this for a good test run over the next few weeks and see can it make me switch to a foldable device which reminds me of the old days when they where popular and I did own and still have quite a few flip phones in my collection..

On first impressions the device is solid and has a better build this time round and a great screen and the cameras seem to quite good too but lets see how all this fairs out over the next few weeks, comparing to the previous model it has more to offer and a better outer display yet still small and they could have utilised the space better on the front to give us a bigger screen to play with but maybe next time that might happen but it is also more functional this time around too and I guess it is welcome..

Check out the unboxing and walk-around of the device below and if you have any questions feel free to hit us up in the comments and we will gladly answer them.. Also if you want to protect your new device, you can find a rich offer of phone accessories online.

Cant see video – click here 

 

Cleanfeed Launches New Studio Tools for Podcasters and Broadcasters

Cleanfeed, a collaboration tool for high definition, live audio and recording in your browser, takes feedback and experiences from the professional radio industry and launches its enhanced studio tools, improving the service for podcasters and broadcasters, globally. 

Cleanfeed has become an established go-to service for broadcasters, podcasters, journalists, radio and just about anyone that requires the need to broadcast or record in high-definition audio, straight from their browser. Striving to continually improve the user and guest experience, Cleanfeed today announce the launch of their enhanced studio tools. The tools, all housed in your web browser with no requirement for any external hardware or software include: enhancements to our existing Clips feature, and a new Player for longer cuts of audio.

The tools give podcasters and broadcasters the functionality of a professional radio studio, straight out of their laptop. Features now give users the opportunity to give their listeners and guests a finished production experience, including the ability to play intro and background music, host a panel show or quiz with sound effects, review music, have guests comment on interviews or even play voxes from the public. 

Cleanfeed continues to be everything you would expect from their service, high quality audio, very responsive yet straight forward in appearance and incredibly powerful. 

Marc Bakos, co-founder of Cleanfeed comments: “As business owners we are continually striving to take feedback directly from our users, as well as industry professionals, to ensure we are servicing our community with the best user experience possible. The new enhanced tools really reinforce that creativity is only ever limited by our imagination and we are excited about the possibilities that these features open for everyone who uses them.”

Mandy Morrow, Director at Crew Radio, comments: “Cleanfeed has been powering our radio station and it keeps getting better! The new Player and updated Clips allow us to produce our recorded shows as if they were live, giving us a finished sound which our audience loves. Its simplicity and ease of use means we’ve not had to look elsewhere to integrate audio into our remote shows, we can do it right from inside Cleanfeed!” 

ITRenew to establish Ireland Headquarters & Logistics Centre in Drogheda and create 40 jobs.

40 roles to be created over three years as company looks to significantly expand its presence in Ireland.

ITRenew Inc., the global leader in circular cloud and sustainable data centre infrastructure has today announced that it will establish an Ireland Headquarters & Logistics Centre in Drogheda, Co. Louth, with 40 new roles set to be created over the next three years. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, ITRenew securely decommissions data centre hardware for the world’s leading global cloud service providers and transforms it into everything from critical components to fully integrated edge and data centre systems.

The announcement comes as ITRenew seeks to meet the strong increase in demand for its asset decommissioning, data erasure, value recovery and IT sustainability services across Ireland and Europe.

Minister for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English TD said, “It is fantastic news for the North-East that ITRenew has chosen Drogheda as its new Ireland Headquarters and Logistics Centre, creating 40 new jobs in the region.  The company’s expansion in Ireland speaks highly of our continued success at attracting foreign investment, particularly within the tech industry.  The North-East offers a wealth of talented people and local resources which will allow the company to thrive in the years ahead, and I wish the ITRenew team the very best with their future innovative endeavours.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to establish ITRenew’s presence in Drogheda. This area offers us the skills and resources we need to open new financial opportunities for our EU customers and help them achieve their sustainability goals faster,” said Ali Fenn, President of IT Renew.  “The roles we’re creating will be highly skilled, ranging from operators to process engineers, with responsibility for data sanitization, component recovery, and responsible recycling.”

ITRenew employs more than 500 people globally and has had a presence in Ireland for a number of years, with a baseline staff responsible for hardware procurement, secure transport and decommissioning. The new premises in Drogheda will increase headcount and the scale of operations.

IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “The decision by ITRenew to establish in Drogheda is very positive news for Louth and the North East region, where the company will benefit from a rich pool of tech-based talent. Winning jobs and investments for regional locations is a key pillar of IDA  Ireland’s strategy Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021 – 2024 and today’s announcement by ITRenew demonstrates the continued commitment to that pillar.  I wish ITRenew every success with its plans for expansion as the company continues to meet the increasing demand for its sustainable IT infrastructure services.”

Proven Strategies To Support Your Business And Increase Your Revenues

It is a common misconception that the only way to increase your business’s revenue is by simply increasing prices. There are a number of strategies to support a business and increase revenues. Here, you will find some proven strategies to help you be more successful in your business endeavors.

1. Invest in new customer acquisition channels

One of the biggest things you can do to increase your business’s revenue is by finding new ways to reach customers. Customers that may have been out of your price range or too difficult to find before could be within your grasp if you are willing and able to invest in some new technologies. If you’re wondering what might be the right option for you, you can check out exactly which customer data platform advantages you, and your customers can benefit from. A customer data platform, for example, uses complex algorithms to find potential customers and target them with ads. Customers may be easier to reach through CRM Software. A CRM will also help you manage everything about your customers; from their initial contact with your business to each purchase they make from you and anything in between!

 

2. Increase time spent on talking with customers

Increasing time spent talking to customers is a proven strategy to be more successful in your business endeavors. The key is finding the right balance between quality and quantity. The more time you spend engaging with your customers, the more likely they are to buy from you. However, if you spend too much time with them or make the wrong impression, they may leave feeling frustrated. To find the right balance, try talking to your customers for five minutes after each transaction. That will enable you to ask customers if they have any questions and/or listen for concerns that may come up.

 

3. Take social media seriously – post regularly and respond to customer comments quickly 

Many businesses are beginning to understand the power behind implementing social media strategies within their company. Social media is an excellent way to connect with old customers, attract new ones, or increase sales. This is a strategy that is often overlooked but it is crucial to take social media seriously if you want to increase your business’s revenue. Social media platforms offer a great amount of data and you can learn a lot about your customers and how to improve your business. You can speak directly with customers, answer their questions, and have a dialogue with them about the newest updates from your company. Posting regularly and responding quickly is an easy way to do that.

 

4. Invest in advertising that works for your business, such as Google Adwords or Facebook Ads 

Advertising is great for increasing your business’s revenue. Some avenues of advertising that have proven to work well are Google Adwords or Facebook Ads. These types of adverts are cheaper than other methods, but they produce a higher conversion rate than other forms of advertising. 

Google Adwords and Facebook Ads are two adverts that are suitable for many types of businesses and increase the company’s revenue. They can work efficiently if done correctly to improve sales and customer growth. With advertising done right, you can attract more customers, gain brand recognition, and sell more products.

5. Offer a loyalty program to incentivize repeat customers 

One of the best ways to increase your revenue is to offer a loyalty program that incentivizes the purchase of your products. One example of this is a typical 3-tiered reward system, where when customers spend $100 or more they are awarded points. This point system can be customized to fit your business and there are many different rewards they could receive for their points, depending on what you offer, such as product discounts, free shipping, gift cards, and much more. A loyalty program, when done right, can generate a great amount of revenue for your business.

 

6. Offer freebies when someone buys something from you, like a discount on future purchases or a free gift with purchase 

One way to provide some additional value to a customer is to offer them a freebie when they purchase something. This could be a discount on future purchases or an added free gift with the purchase. For online shopping websites, this could also include having special deals for subscribers and customers who are referred by another customer. This could also include exclusive discounts and coupons for repeat customers. These types of additional incentives can encourage customers to buy more from you and come back in the future.

 

 

In today’s digital world, it is important that a business stays relevant and up-to-date with the latest trends. Outdated marketing strategies can be detrimental to your company if you are not careful. It is crucial that businesses stay on top of their game by continuously improving and adapting their methods for success as well as staying knowledgeable about what other companies in similar industries are doing so they know how to compete against them effectively. Hopefully, these helpful tips provide some insight into how your business can stay at the top of its game.

FREE NOW joins forces with TIER in DCU e-scooter trial rollout

Ireland’s leading ride-hailing app now enabling e-scooter bookings as part of country’s first trial run by Europe’s number one micro-mobility operator

Leading ride-hailing app FREE NOW has partnered with leading micro-mobility provider TIER Mobility to support the rollout of Ireland’s first e-scooter trial across five DCU campuses. As part of the trial which is running until early 2022, passengers can now book e-scooters from the TIER fleet based at DCU via the FREE NOW app.

The e-scooter trial began in July with the goal of improving safety for e-scooter users and pedestrians, as well as providing city authorities with valuable data and insights to facilitate safe e-scooter use once government legislation passes in Ireland. FREE NOW’s involvement in the scheme will encourage continued learnings, modal shift and participation among passengers – enabling students and staff to trial the e-scooters over the coming months via FREE NOW’s app integration.

New nationally representative data from FREE NOW highlights the need for more sustainable and multi-modal transport options like e-scooters in Ireland, with 75% of people stating that Ireland lags behind other European countries when it comes to sustainable transport options. Furthermore, 12% of people would actually consider selling their private cars in favour of more sustainable options like e-scooters once legislation on their use comes into full effect.

FREE NOW’s partnership with TIER in the DCU pilot is an extension of its pan-European partnership with the micro-mobility operator which has been rolled out across five countries (Germany, France, UK, Poland & Austria) since March 2021 – making TIER e-scooters widely available to passengers via the FREE NOW app. Recognised for its sector leadership in safety and sustainability, TIER is Europe’s number one e-scooter operator, serving over 130 cities including London, Paris, Berlin and Dubai. This partnership is part of FREE NOW’s commitment to sustainable mobility and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Commenting on the DCU pilot partnership, Niall Carson General Manager of FREE NOW Ireland said: “We are delighted to partner with TIER and support the continued rollout of Ireland’s first e-scooter pilot scheme over the coming months across DCU campuses. This scheme will positively contribute to the safety standards for e-scooter usage in Ireland and we hope it will support the government’s rollout of legislation in the coming months – enabling people across the country to avail of safe, sustainable and convenient micro-mobility rental.”

Fred Jones, Northern Europe General Manager of TIER, added: “Our research trial at DCU brings TIER together with a range of brilliant partners to ensure Ireland’s first e-scooter scheme is not only a success but a valuable learning opportunity for cities exploring the future of micro-mobility. By adding the trusted and popular FREE NOW app to that mix we can take the trial multimodal and generate more compelling insights.”

400 new jobs for Kilkenny as State Street selects Ireland for its new global cybersecurity and technology unit

State Street Corporation, one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors, is to establish a new specialist 400-strong team in Ireland to provide technology infrastructure and cyber security services to support group operations globally.  State Street celebrates 25 years in Ireland and 20 years in Kilkenny this year and currently employs approximately 2,000 staff in Ireland across Dublin, Drogheda, Naas and Kilkenny.

Ireland has been selected in large part due to the availability of relevant and skilled technology talent – existing and emerging – from universities and third level institutions, as well as the need to have a location outside the US for time zone support purposes.

The new unit will be located at IDA Ireland Business and Technology Park in Kilkenny where State Street already employs approximately 600 staff and where the firm is in the process of developing a new state-of-the-art office. Reflective of new ways of working post COVID and of staff preferences for flexibility and remote working, the new office will accommodate above average occupancy levels enabling it to draw on a broad staff pool along the east coast and midlands.

The new unit will employ up to 400 high value, experienced and graduate level roles, across: programming, Cybersecurity Operations Analysts, Cybersecurity Instrumentation Engineers, Data Scientists, Cybersecurity Architects (Network, Identify Access Management and BlockChain), Cybersecurity Forensics/Investigations, Pen Testers and Governance as well as Risk and Compliance experts.  The new roles will be filled on a phased basis over the next 2 years.

Commenting, Tadhg Young, State Street’s head of Ireland, said:

“We are very pleased that Ireland and Kilkenny will benefit from this very substantial investment and the addition of high value, sustainable jobs. Today’s jobs announcement, alongside plans for our new state-of-the-art office development in Kilkenny, marks a further strengthening of our presence and commitment to the region for years to come.

 “Ireland’s tech ecosystem and financial services credentials alongside Kilkenny’s central location and access to talent from third level institutions in Dublin, Carlow, Waterford and beyond were all compelling factors in our location decision. I wish to thank the IDA for their continuing support of State Street, and I strongly encourage anyone seeking a new career opportunity in a great location and with great prospects for professional development to check out our new roles.”

 Welcoming the news, Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said: “This is a fantastic boost for Kilkenny. State Street, which already employs 600 in its Loughboy office and approximately 2,000 across the country has chosen to locate a new cybersecurity and technology unit in the county, creating up to 400 new jobs over the next 2 years.  Ireland’s highly skilled and experienced workforce continues to attract the very best investment across the country. This announcement is further evidence of the phenomenal work the IDA is doing to attract and retain FDI in Ireland – the new unit will be based in the IDA’s Kilkenny Business Park. I wish all involved every success.”

Minister of State with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance Seán Fleming said: “I am delighted to welcome this transformational investment from State Street and would like to thank all of the executives involved in Kilkenny, the wider Irish operations and their colleagues in the US. The investment is an endorsement and a commitment to Ireland and the State Street team in Kilkenny. It demonstrates the vital role that regional operations can play in creating value for global firms.  Both I and the team behind the Ireland for Finance Strategy wish State Street every success as they build out the team in the region.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: “This significant announcement by State Street demonstrates not only the company’s continued commitment to Ireland but also the attractiveness of the South East Region’s value proposition. The new cybersecurity and tech roles announced for State Street’s new facility in Kilkenny will help shape the future of our economy and will support the company’s global operations.  I wish State Street every success with this expansion.”

In Ireland, State Street is the largest provider of fund administration and custody services with $1.7tn in assets serviced across all asset classes. The Irish group also manages $317bn within its investment management division SSGA.

Today’s announcement coincides with the first anniversary of State Street’s support for the Rethink Ireland €1.5 million Ability to Work Fund which, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection & the Department of Rural and Community Development, is helping develop the talents and skills of those living with a disability.