Virtual reality business becomes latest to join tech community

A business specialising in virtual reality radiation training systems is relocating to the heart of Hull’s tech community as it continues to grow.

Vertual’s training system, VERT, is used to train radiographers and physicists in more than 30 countries.

The business is a supplier of virtual reality (VR) simulation products that are used for teaching and training the next generation of radiation therapists and other healthcare professionals globally.

Now, the company has relocated from The Maltings in Hull city centre to join the digital community at developer Wykeland Group’s @TheDock tech campus in the city’s Fruit Market.

Vertual is occupying a 2,000 sq ft office suite on the second floor of the building next to the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) tech hub.

The Vertual team has more than doubled over recent years and further recruitment is planned following a phased move to the new offices.

Fiona Law, business manager, said: “We’d already looked at lots of locations, but this office is great and ideal for us, close to the city centre, with excellent transport links and with all the restaurants and shops in Humber Street on the doorstep too.

“We’re expanding our product range and we have lots of great projects in the pipeline.

“We’re increasing our headcount and recruiting for new talent across the business, including more software engineers.”

Vertual was launched in Hull in 2007 as a spin-off company from a joint research project involving the University of Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Debra Leeves, chief executive officer, said: “The past few years have seen rapid growth at Vertual. We have doubled the number of employees, developed and expanded our range of VR training products and expanded internationally.

“Last year was our most successful and profitable year since the company started.

“When we started looking for new office space we knew we wanted it to be modern, light, hi-tech and among other growing and successful companies in the city. But, most of all, we wanted it to be a place where our team and future employees would want to work.”

Vertual’s new home features an assembly and test area for newer products, such as the company’s Compact VERT system and a quiet working area where the company’s R&D team can focus on creating new products and hold project meetings.

John Gouldthorp, asset manager at Wykeland, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome the Vertual team to @TheDock, where they will be very much at home among so many other tech businesses that are leaders in their fields.

“Vertual is just the latest digital venture to recognise the many advantages of being part of a community where collaboration is an integral part of the culture.”