Global player Saab to make city’s digital hub base for software team
DEFENCE AND security company Saab has taken an office within Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI).
Saab has chosen C4DI as the UK base for a new software development team customising SAFE, a cutting-edge system for emergency services organisations.
Simon Read, UK director from Saab’s Networks and Public Safety business unit, said “We’ve chosen C4DI as the location for our new team as it offers the opportunity for us to be part of a technology hub and digital community with software development expertise.
“Our intention is to work with people within C4DI on research and development projects in areas such as artificial intelligence and predictive analytics.”
Developed and owned by Hullbased regeneration company Wykeland Group, the C4DI building is the centrepiece of the £15m @TheDock development within the rapidly-evolving Fruit Market waterside quarter. The C4DI technology hub was opened in 2015.
John Connolly, managing director of C4DI, said: “It’s fantastic that a company such as Saab, which has a worldwide reputation for technological innovation, is joining the C4DI community.
“Increasingly, the tech capabilities required by large companies are highly specialised and delivered by niche digital businesses or individual experts, which we have in abundance at C4DI.
We not only house those experts, but also use them to build specialist teams to lead or work on projects for larger companies.”
Dominic Gibbons, managing director of Wykeland Group, said: “Saab’s decision indicates C4DI is really helping to put Hull on the map as a centre for digital excellence and innovation.”