The Economist to create new tech unit in Birmingham

Publishing group is expanding its presence in the city centre by launching innovation unit to support is publishing activities

The London-based media group that publishes national newspaper, The Economist and its website among other titles, had announced in December that it had signed a deal to take new office space at 60 Church Street and is now expanding its base in Birmingham, which will be its first office outside of the capital. The new software and engineering hub in Birmingham will house more than 45 staff who will deliver technology enhancements and product support for its website, apps and other platforms as well as host apprenticeship and graduate programs, training sessions and workshops.

Chief digital officer Andrew Williams said: “We did an exhaustive search to land in Birmingham which will provide us with access to a pipeline of world-class technologists to join our team. As we work to grow our in-house technology team, we are committed to our future in Birmingham and excited about the opportunities presented by the technology community there.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street added: “This new base will be The Economist Group’s first outside the capital city, representing a major opportunity for the region. The Economist’s commitment to the West Midlands is reflective of our wider growth strategy – one that places innovation and technology at its core – nurturing new ideas, creativity, and bold ambition.

“It will join the largest tech cluster outside the capital. The region is perfectly positioned to support their technology innovation unit with a rich digital supply chain and more software developers, programmers and software architects in Birmingham than any other regional city in the UK. With 5G on the horizon, we hope to welcome many more world-class brands like the Economist to the West Midlands.”