Sky brings 550 jobs to Stockport

BROADCASTER Sky is to create more than 550 jobs at a new call centre in Stockport.

It said it needs the facility to cope with demand for its TV, broadband and home phone services.

Sky has taken 23,000 sq ft at St Peter’s Square, pictured below, a new 51,000 sq ft grade A office development in the town built by Bam Properties.

The centre should open at the end of June 2010 and Sky will begin recruiting this month. As well as customer service staff it is looking people to fill training, coaching and human resources roles.

The company said it chose Stockport after searching the UK for a location that offered highly skilled, “customer-focused” employees. Sky already employs more than 16,000 people across the UK and Ireland.

Chris Stylianou, who runs Sky’s customer centres, said: “At Sky we place the customer at the heart of everything we do and we need talented, enthusiastic and committed employees to help maintain the high standards we set ourselves. We look forward to recruiting a great team here in Stockport and to making a real contribution to the local community.”

Leader of Stockport Council Dave Goddard said: “This is fantastic news and will boost the local economy and employment opportunities. Stockport offers a first rate business location with great transport links and skilled workforce, and to attract such a prominent company to the borough only confirms this, especially during such tough economic times.”

Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive at MIDAS, Manchester’s investment and development agency said: “This investment is fantastic news for Stockport and will serve to kick-off the town centre redevelopment in great style. We are delighted to welcome such a high-profile brand to the city region and MIDAS will continue to work with the firm as it establishes its presence in the city region.”

The expansion by Sky’s parent company BSkyB is in direct contrast to the cost-cutting measures imposed by other broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV.

In January the group posted a downturn-defying 10% rise in annual revenue to £2.9bn. Operating profit grew 4% to £401m. The satellite broadcaster said 9.7 million households were signed up to its services, close to its long-held target of 10 million.