First Data chief makes return visit to Nenagh

The Chief Administrative Officer of First Data, the company creating 300 jobs in Nenagh next year, paid another visit to town last week.

 

Tom Higgins held a number of meetings with representatives of Tipperary Co Council and other organisations in Nenagh last Thursday. Among those present was local TD Alan Kelly, who said the First Data CAO is very satisfied with the progress being made at the Stereame site where the company will open a research & development (R&D) facility.

 

Site works are to commence at Stereame at the end of this year. These will involve a number of stages including groundworks, upgrade and expansion of the existing building, and fitout of the building. It is envisaged that First Data will commence operations in Stereame in mid 2017.

 

The company has already begun a process of defining roles of employment at its Nenagh facility. First Data will soon be putting in place a process whereby prospective employees can apply to the company for future positions in Nenagh.

 

Deputy Kelly said this would allow local people the chance to express their interest in working with First Data in areas such as finance, administration, technology, and corporate and legal affairs.

 

“Mr Higgins made me aware that they will be working closely with the third level institutions to ensure that there are graduates with the necessary skills to meet First Data's demand, and prepared for the potential growth of the company in Nenagh,” Deputy Kelly said.

 

He added that First Data has appointed a local representative to oversee the Nenagh project. He said Mr Higgins discussed a wide range of issues in Nenagh, including that of accommodation. The CAO wants to make sure that suitable housing is in place for employees seeking to move to Nenagh from elsewhere.

 

Deputy Kelly said the First Data chief was particularly complimentary of the role the local council is playing in facilitating the Stereame setup. He was delighted to see the council's recent acquisition of 53 acres of development land at Stereame, some of which is to be used for the future expansion of First Data.

 

The local TD said both he and Mr Higgins view the Nenagh R&D plant as having even greater significance in the wake of Brexit. “I predict a bright future for Nenagh and the capacity of this R&D centre to expand into the future, especially given the changed international environment,” Deputy Kelly said.