Avanade joins Softcat in Irish growth charge

Microsoft consultancy says it plans to employ 100 staff in Ireland within a year after setting up shop in Dublin

Just a week after Softcat received the keys for its Irish office, Microsoft consultancy Avanade has launched a hunt for Irish workers with skills in CRM, digital, AI and cloud after opening an operation in Dublin.

Avanade has told CRN that it plans to employ 100 staff out of Ireland within its first year as it looks to surf rising demand for Microsoft's technology.

In its most recent quarter, Microsoft saw total revenues rise 16 per cent year on year, with Azure up 93 per cent.

To begin with, Avanade's Irish outpost will be based out of Accenture's existing Irish operation at Grand Canal Square Dublin. That's understandable given that Avanade is a 50-50 joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft that was established in 2000.

The firm, which has 30,000 staff globally, has also poached former managing director in the Accenture Health and Public Service operating group, Graham Healy, to be its first Irish country manager.

Commenting exclusively for CRN, Healy (pictured below right, and top, second from right) said: "Ireland has great depth in highly sought after skills, and a huge market opportunity to help businesses make the most of cloud and digital technologies from Microsoft.

"As we build quickly, and as we grow demand, we aim to be a 100-strong team within our first full year. Longer term, I want Avanade to become the leading digital innovator in Ireland, and a centre of excellence for the group."

Avanade said it is interested in recruiting people who "have a passion for Microsoft technologies" and "whose skills reflect market trends". It specifically name-checked CRM, digital, cloud and AI as areas of interest right now.

It will be tussling for talent not only with Ireland's incumbent providers, but also the UK's second largest reseller, Softcat, which is currently ramping up its plans for Ireland after setting up camp near Dublin last week.

Darren Hardman, president, Europe, and UK & I general manager (pictured top, far left), said in a statement: "The digital world is changing the way organisations engage with their customers and their employees," said. "With demand across Europe for Microsoft growing fast, I'm delighted that we're able to help clients in Ireland tap into the benefits of cloud and digital technologies."

Alastair Blair, country managing director for Accenture Ireland (pictured top, far right), added: "We're delighted to welcome Avanade to Ireland. Our clients are constantly looking for new ways to understand and serve their customers and to create new markets and products. Together Avanade, Accenture and Microsoft can help companies to harness the power of the cloud and artificial intelligence to drive their digital strategies forward."

Aisling Curtis, commercial director, Microsoft Ireland (pictured top, second from left), concluded: "Microsoft's partnership with Accenture through Avanade has been a huge success story worldwide. Establishing Avanade in Ireland will help to empower and digitally transform our customers, the way they work, and the experiences they provide for their customers."