US AWS and Microsoft partner makes moves on Manchester

Slalom opens second UK office to support its growth strategy

US consulting firm Slalom is opening its second UK office, in Manchester.

The Seattle-headquartered consultancy specialises in technology and business transformation and counts Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft and Salesforce among its partners.

It opened its first UK office in London five years ago.

"Manchester is a city of digital enterprise with strengths in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, utilities, and consumer services, which perfectly complements Slalom's breadth of expertise," said Dave Williams, Slalom UK country MD.

"We're looking forward to helping our clients solve their biggest challenges while we also invest in the local community."

Slalom's new office will be based at Peter House in the city centre, and the company plans to tap into Manchester's talent pool, as well as invest in its existing workforce to support its UK growth.

The US firm was founded in 2001 and currently has 6,500 employees throughout the US, Canada and the UK. It plans to employ more than 200 people at its Manchester base by 2025.

Slalom managing director Paul Squire will move from the London office to head operations in the new location.

"I'm excited about working with our clients in the North-West of England, helping them deliver people-centric change, bring strategic solutions to life, and ultimately, love their future," he said.

Tim Newns, chief executive of MIDAS, Manchester's inward investment agency, welcomed the news.

"Greater Manchester is a hotbed for collaboration and innovation, making it the ideal location for pioneering businesses like Slalom," he stated.

"There are strong complementarities between Slalom and Greater Manchester's efforts to collaborate with companies going through digital transformation and supporting them to grow within the region.

"Establishing operations within one of Europe's largest digital and technology clusters will provide the consulting firm with ample opportunities to join forces with the rapidly increasing number of world-leading brands that are choosing Manchester."