Jobs boost as Syngenta invests

SYNGENTA, a Swiss agricultural research business, is to open an global operations centre in south Mancester, creating 200 jobs.

The new base, in Didsbury, opens next month and will  focus on operational activities associated with procurement, supply, IT and program services, the company said.

Syngenta said around 140 jobs would be recruited from the Manchester area, and said the availability of talent was a key factor in its investment.

The UK is already home to the company’s largest global research and development facility, which is in Berkshire and two major production facilities in Yorkshire and Scotland.  It has close to 2,000 employees in the UK focused on research and development, commercial sales, production and supply, and now, global operations.

Colin Hardy, program lead for the new base, said: “We are delighted to be able to base Syngenta’s new Global Operations Center in Manchester which was chosen following an extensive assessment of possible European locations and increases our investment in the UK economy.

“Importantly, the location provides access to a skilled workforce and enables us to take advantage of Manchester’s position in the UK’s emerging northern powerhouse.”

The investment was welcomed by George Freeman, minister for life sciences, who added: “We want Britain to be the location of choice for life sciences investment and Syngenta’s further commitment to the UK through this major investment in the North West is strong evidence that we are achieving that goal.”

Tim Newns, chief executive of Manchester investment agency MIDAS said Syngenta’s move was “great news”.

“Manchester is continuing to go from strength to strength as a city of innovation, ideas and delivery and should prove to be a very effective location for the company. The concept of having highly connected urban science parks linked with academia, the NHS and excellent connectivity is enabling the city to gain increasing recognition as a top location for companies and we look forward to supporting Syngenta as they build their presence here.”