Three new contracts for EastQuay IT

A Newcastle-based IT firm is celebrating winning three new contracts in one month and recruiting three new apprentices to service increasing demand.

EastQuay IT in Ouseburn valley last month won contracts with Newcastle leading property development company Adderstone Group and Toffee Factory based building information modelling firm Digital Surveys to deliver general IT support and disaster recovery.

The growing firm has also scooped its first international contract to work remotely for New York based economic intelligence firm Pantheon Macroeconomics, as well as providing business continuity services for its Newcastle office.

The contract wins have led to the appointment of apprentices Laura Dawson from South Shields, Sam Cooper from Hexham and Dan Morley from Newcastle.

EastQuay IT partner Giles Wright says the company’s expansion is down to an upturn in economic recovery: “We are certainly seeing the green shoots of revival in terms of business spend and investment in IT here in the North East.

“A growing number of companies are coming to us saying they need to invest more in their IT in order to move their businesses forward. Our current most popular service is business continuity, which includes cloud data storage and helping to save businesses money via greener computing. Our expertise in these areas has certainly helped us cement these contracts.”

Business partner Ian Fraser said: “Our growth is off the back of us being one of the only IT firms in the region that can deal with higher level technical issues. More and more businesses are recognising us as a firm whose niche is in top level support and disaster recovery.

“Our first overseas contract has been very exciting for us and we are now seeking to expand into the European and Asian market. Our remote support service, which enables us work on a client’s computer system from our office, has enabled us to do this.

“We are delighted to have taken on our three new apprentices who will help service our growing demand and learn ‘on the job’. We are always keen to develop new talent and by working with us these young people can realise their expectations, improve their prospects hopefully grow the leaders of our future workforce.”

Apprentice Laura Dawson said: “Variety is one of the best aspects of the job with EastQuay IT. Working with a wide range of clients from housing organisations to advertising agencies is certainly giving me a broad experience and enabling me to develop skills in different areas. Not that many girls go into IT, so my ambition is to progress through the ranks with EastQuay and help the business to grow and hopefully secure a full time position with the firm when my apprenticeship is complete.”

As well as focussing on the international marketplace EastQuay IT is also looking to expand its services into particular sectors such as engineering and industrial next year.