Ford to create 140 jobs at First Street

FORD has taken 25,000 sq ft at Ask Developments’ First Street office block – less than the 60,000 sq ft first mooted earlier this year.

Its motor credit arm, Ford Credit Europe, is creating 140 jobs in the 180,000 sq ft building which is already home to Auto Trader and the engineering group Jacobs.

Ford Credit offers vehicle financing for Ford sales across Europe.

Matt Hinton, manager of the Manchester base, said: “We selected Manchester after a detailed appraisal of sites across the UK because of its great infrastructure and the outstanding pool of multi-lingual residents.

“Our offices have a great location in the First Street development, and we are proud to become part of the Manchester community. Our recruitment plans are on track and I’m impressed by the high calibre of the team who have elected to come to work for Ford Credit.”

Tim Newns, chief executive of MIDAS, said: “Securing this investment from Ford Credit is excellent news and further proof of Manchester’s positioning as the most efficient UK location to undertake financial services operations.

“This is a substantial investment from a major global brand and, coupled with other recent investments in this sector from the likes of Towergate and Worldpay, creates a significant number of new jobs in the city.”