This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Call centre company announces expansion
13/09/2004
The Lanarkshire firm beCogent has announced expansion plans that include 600 new jobs as it celebrates its fifth anniversary.
First Minister Jack McConnell visited the firm's Airdrie headquarters today where 1,300 people are currently employed.
beCogent Chairman Dermot Jenkinson said the firm intended to purchase of a 30,000 sq ft facility in Erskine that will make it one of the largest call centre employers in Scotland.
The company received £1.7 million government funding when it was first set up, and has been offered a further £1.5 million Regional Selective Assistance to help its expansion plans.
Mr McConnell said:
"beCogent is an example of exactly the kind of entrepreneurial dynamism that will help us grow the Scottish economy.
"Our national economic prosperity will be secured by the efforts of a wide range of individuals and bodies, people and companies who are ambitious for themselves, and their country.
"When I launched our framework for economic development earlier this month I said that I wanted Scotland to be the most business friendly region in the UK.
"That is why the Scottish government has invested over £400 million in regional selective assistance since devolution, to help companies such as beCogent to become even more successful."
Scotland's call centre industry employs 56,000 people, over 2 per cent of the workforce.
beCogent was formed in 1999 following a spin-out from APAC TeleServices. It provides services such as telemarketing, helpdesk functions and advice on call-centre integration to companies such as Telewest, Axa Insurance and Scottish Power.
Its turnover in 2004 was £17.1 million. For more information see: www.becogent.com