Jobs boost in tele-sales sector

Call centres have sprung up in parts of Northern Ireland

A telemarketing operator is to create 250 jobs as part of a £2.6m investment in Northern Ireland.

Anderson Manning Associates is opening a new call centre in Londonderry which will employ nearly 100 people by next year.

The company is also expanding its current services in Bangor, County Down, with nearly 150 new posts.

It said the move was in response to a growing market.

It has located the Derry centre at the Rosemount Building, a complex developed specifically for IT investors.

Expand services

Leslie Morrison, Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive, said it was an "ambitious and successful business with a first class track record in the provision of contact centre services to exacting clients in an intensely competitive marketplace."

Stuart Anderson, Anderson Manning Associates Managing Director, said: "The additional staff will enable us to meet the growing demand for our expertise, to expand our existing services in line with our business plan and provide the capability to attract further business from outside Northern Ireland.

"Our business depends upon the availability of quality people who are easily motivated and keen to develop new skills.

"We've developed a strong team in Bangor over the years and are now able to access well-educated people in the North West through our Derry operation," added Mr Anderson.

Established in 1993 with five employees as a telesales agency, AMA now offers a range of services, including telemarketing, fundraising for charities, inbound and outbound campaigns and direct mail, and draws 80% of its business from clients in markets outside Northern Ireland.