John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, has inaugurated BT Group’s new office in Dundee, completing a project that involved significant investment in a long-term establishment for the city.
As he arrived, Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive of BT Group, welcomed him to the office. There, they interacted with staff members. The site accommodates around 1,000 employees from BT’s Consumer and Business units. It serves as a central hub for customer support throughout the UK.
Announced in July 2020, this new building is part of a £1 billion regeneration initiative in Dundee. It is situated at West Marketgait, right in the city centre, near the waterfront.
This location is one of BT Group’s key sites in Scotland. It is developed under the Better Workplace Programme. This programme is the largest of its kind in the UK. Recently, in September 2023, BT completed a multi-million pound upgrade of its Glasgow office, which serves around 2,000 staff.
During the visit, the First Minister spoke with BT teams focused on enhancing business connectivity and digitising operations. He met colleagues managing operator assistance. He also met those handling directory inquiries. Additionally, he spoke with colleagues taking orders for BT’s fibre broadband and mobile services.
The First Minister was informed about BT’s apprenticeship scheme, with a new group set to begin in March. BT is hiring for full-time positions in its sales department. It collaborates with local schools and Discover Work Dundee. These efforts assist job seekers.
The new office signifies an important step in Dundee’s economic growth, according to John Swinney. It highlights Scotland’s focus on digital progress and opportunity. He noted that BT’s investment reinforces confidence in both the city and Scotland. It secures about 1,000 local jobs. It also offers valuable chances for apprentices and employees to enhance their skills and careers.
According to Allison Kirkby, opening the Dundee office is a thrilling moment for one of Scotland’s largest private employers. The investment will help attract top talent and improve service delivery while contributing to Dundee’s regeneration.
BT is enhancing Scotland’s infrastructure in several ways. Over half the region is now connected to full fibre through Openreach. Additionally, 75% of the population is covered by 5G from EE. The company is partnering with the government to maximise the potential of these networks. This partnership aims to benefit both the public and private sectors.
In May 2022, Kate Forbes visited to celebrate the start of construction. She was then the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy. This investment will transform BT Group’s operations and improve service for customers in Scotland and across the UK. BT’s previous office in Dundee, established in 1976, closed last year.
BT Group employs over 7,000 people across Scotland. This employment ensures that homes, businesses, government, and the NHS have access to broadband and mobile services.