Defence company takes C4DI space for development team

Defence and security business Saab has taken space at Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation, to move in its growing software development team.

The C4DI site will be Saab’s UK base for a new software development team customising SAFE, a system for emergency services organisations.

The C4DI is part of the Wykeland Group’s £15m @TheDock development and was launched in 2015. It has seen other tech groups including the Escada Group, launch development teams at the site.

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.”

C4DI managing director John Connolly 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.

“It’s a unique approach and a model we’ve proven at C4DI with many organisations benefiting from skills within the building. This, in turn, enables startups to grow and develops the wider community. It creates a virtuous circle of investment, innovation and growth.”

Dominic Gibbons, managing director of Wykeland Group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Saab to Hull and the C4DI community.

“One of the key reasons for establishing C4DI was to create a focal point for the digital economy in the Hull area, to support the growth of local companies and employment and to attract inward investment.

“Saab’s decision indicates C4DI is really helping to put Hull on the map as a centre for digital excellence and innovation and it will raise further the city’s profile as a tech hotspot.”

Pictured: C4DI Managing Director John Connolly, right, welcomes Simon Read, UK Director of the Networks and Public Safety business unit of global technology company Saab, and his colleagues to the Hull tech hub.