Firms to create 80 jobs in city

TWO firms are creating nearly 80 new jobs as they look to expand their Cardiff offices.

Technical marketing agency Yard plans to add 37 people to its workforce over the next three years.

The company currently employs 18 people at its head office in Eastgate House, Cardiff, with a further 17 members of staff in Edinburgh and London, and has already attracted investment from Finance Wales.

The planned expansion, assisted by the Welsh Government, supports the company’s growth plans to increase sales by 40% during the next three years and double turnover by 2018.

Incorporated in 2006 by co-founders Paul Newbury CTO and Stephan Briggs CEO, Yard provides a range of digital services such as analytics, data and insight, search engine optimisation, web design and build.

Web analytics is its key specialism and the company has provided analytical solutions to more than 100 companies across the UK and Europe and created web products for Legal & General, British Gas and Sainsbury’s Bank, among others.

The additional staff will be responsible for developing new business and servicing new contracts the company has secured from Rank Group, Virgin Atlantic, and Camelot and support its strategic sales strategy for further business growth.

Meanwhile, independent actuarial consultancy Quantum Advisory, which has its headquarters in the city, is creating 40 jobs.

An expansion has seen Quantum relocate its HQ to larger premises in St Mellons and it will increase the number of employees in the capital city to more than 90 within three years.

The company provides pension and employee benefits services to employers, scheme trustees and members.

Advising on £3.5bn of pension fund assets, the company has delivered a pension administration service to clients since its inception as well as investment, actuarial and pensions consultancy services to clients both in the UK and internationally.

The expansion has been backed by £200,000 business finance from the Welsh Government.

Andrew Reid-Jones, partner at Quantum Advisory, said: “Our previous office was at full capacity, but as a direct result of the Welsh Government’s support we were able to move into a larger neighbouring premises to accommodate projected future growth and provide further central services to our regional offices.”