London-based trading technology vendor Fidessa is investing £2.5 million to set up a new software development facility in Belfast.
The move will create 26 software programming jobs, says Fidessa, which plans to open a temporary office in Belfast on 1 March and move to the permanent facility in October.
The vendor says it expects to invest the £2.5 million over the first three years. The project is being supported by regional economic development body Invest Northern Ireland which has offered a £244,000 support grant.
Commenting on the move Chris Aspinwal, chief executive, Fidessa, says: "Opening this office in Northern Ireland forms part of our expansion plans for our software development capabilities, and will provide us with access to the pool of high quality software engineering skills that are available."
Leslie Morrison, chief executive Invest Northern Ireland, says Fidessa considered locations in other UK regions and in the Republic of Ireland before settling on Belfast.
"The availability of high quality software engineers was a key factor in the company's decision to locate in Belfast, as was the support offered by Invest NI," says Morrison.
LSE-listed Fidessa employs over 1100 staff with offices in New York, Boston, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Toronto and San Francisco.
Earlier this month Fidessa reported rising revenue and profits for the year and a strong sales pipeline, with no signs of a credit crisis-inspired slowdown in spending. Full year pre-tax profit rose 20% from £14.3 million to £17.1 million.