200 jobs to be created by Indian process management provider

Global process management provider Firstsource is set to create up to 200 jobs in the West Midlands by the end of the year.

Headquartered in Mumbai, Firstsource employs more than 5,000 people in the UK already. It will launch a training scheme in collaboration with the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The investment has been supported by the Business and Tourism Programme (BATP), and aims to boost the economic impact of the Commonwealth Games.

Andrew Griffith MP, the UK Minister for Exports said: “By working together for these major cultural moments, we can highlight great examples of UK exporters and investors. There is huge potential across the West Midlands – for levelling up, new investments and to support our drive to net zero – and these Games are a chance to fly the flag for the region and the wider UK economy.”

For Firstsource, the new Birmingham operation will provide services for two leading UK banks, with a view to expanding to other clients.

Rajiv Malhotra, the head of Europe business at Firstsource said: “The West Midlands is the UK’s largest hub for regional, professional and financial services business – the unrivalled support for rapidly expanding businesses made the region and the city of Birmingham an obvious choice for our new operation.

“We are delighted with our partnerships with education and investment organisations in the region and look forward to further collaborations. The new training approach will help Firstsource access a wider talent pool and unlock tremendous potential to build digital customer experience hubs for our clients.”

The announcement has come two days before the Commonwealth Business Forum, which builds on the UK’s green commitments made at COP26.

Business leaders will gather at the ICC, Birmingham to discuss how the transition to net zero can stimulate sustainable economic growth through trade, including green investment opportunities, ideas for green finance and innovative technologies.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry
• Jerome Frost, Chairman – UK, India, Middle East & Africa, Arup
• Andrew Griffith MP, Minister for Exports, Department for International Trade
• Lord Marland, Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
• Julia Prescot, Partner, Chief Strategy Officer, Meridiam
• Amanda Pullinger, CEO, 100 Women in Finance
• Athletes Tessa Sanderson CBE and Stef Reid MBE

Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “With the Commonwealth Business Forum set to showcase the economic importance of the Commonwealth, this significant investment is a true vote of confidence in the region as a global hub for businesses looking to trade, innovate and grow.

“Building on India’s strong track record of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the region, these 200 new jobs are brilliant news for Birmingham”.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Given the economic importance of the Commonwealth, this significant vote of confidence in us from Firstsource is very timely as it underlines our credentials as a global business hub and builds on India’s strong track record of foreign direct investment into the West Midlands”.