25th March 2015
Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton cut the ribbon on Sun Life Financial’s newly expanded offices in Waterford today, announcing that the expansion will allow the company potential growth capacity from its present workforce of 350 up to 400.
Expansion will allow for future potential growth capacity
Sun Life opened its Waterford office in 1998 with a team of 12 people. The company sought to capitalise on the talented workforce available from graduates of WIT, UCC and other third level institutions. The 4,500 sq. ft. expansion and upgrade represents a significant investment by Sun Life in Waterford that, as well as supporting future growth, also recognises the valuable contribution of the team there by providing a state-of-the-art office environment.
Speaking at the official opening in Waterford today, Sun Life’s Senior Vice President for Client & Technology Services, David Healy said, "Our team in Waterford plays an integral role in our continued success at Sun Life. With graduates from nearby institutions like WIT and UCC, we have been able to hire exceptional people. We want them to have a facility that is worthy of their talent and expertise."
Video-conferencing facilities, conference lines and interactive meeting rooms will allow enhanced interaction and integration between the Waterford team and those located in Sun Life’s US and Canadian headquarters.
Tánaiste Joan Burton said: “Waterford and the south-east region is seeing a welcome recovery in employment. That is why we have launched a dedicated €250 million Regional Action Plan for Jobs – to accelerate the jobs recovery in every part of the country. Together with the Pathways for Work strategy, we will create 40,000 new jobs this year and drive unemployment below 10% for the first time since the crisis erupted. From small beginnings in Waterford, Sun Life has gone from strength to strength, and I wish the company every success with the expansion.”
Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, who is in Riga at an EU trade Council, said: “We have specifically targeted the South East as part of our jobs plan due to the region’s historic unemploymenht problems, and the region is now showing the fastest signs of growth in the country. Today’s announcement that Sun Life is creating extra jobs is another welcome boost for Waterford and the South East.”
IDA’s CEO Martin Shanahan said the expansion represents a substantial investment by Sun Life Financial in Waterford and is a real vote of confidence in its workforce. “It clearly demonstrates the importance for companies of having access to a strong pool of graduates. It also strengthens Waterford and the South East’s position as an excellent location for financial services companies to set up. I wish the company every success for the future.”
The company is currently recruiting for roles on its Security team as well as in Training, QA Automation and Java development. Full details are available on SUNLIFE.ie.
About Sun Life Financial
Celebrating 150 years in 2015, Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. The Sun Life Financial group of companies operates under the “Sun Life Financial” name strictly as a marketing name and no legal significance is expressed or implied. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. In the United States and elsewhere, insurance products are offered by members of the Sun Life Financial group that are insurance companies. In the United States, Sun Life Financial provides a range of products and services to employers and their employees, including Group and Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, Dental, Disability, Life, and Stop-Loss insurance products. Product offerings may not be available in all states and may vary depending on state laws and regulations. Sun Life Financial Inc., the holding company for the Sun Life Financial group of companies, is a public company. It is not an insurance company and does not offer insurance products for sale in the United States or elsewhere, and does not guarantee the obligations of its insurance company subsidiaries. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE), and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com/us.
For further information contact:
Sun Life Financial, Publicist Devon Portney Fernald +1 781 416 7151 devon.portney.fernald@sunlife.com
IDA Regional Press, Communications & PR Executive Ellen Lynch 087 4112084 ellen.lynch@ida.ie
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