Member Article

Young talent key to Maidstone software developer's growth

Influential Software has embarked on a recruitment drive for young people in Maidstone after working with Locate in Kent to find a new base for its software development team in the County Town.

The IT consultancy, which also has offices in the heart of the City of London and Glasgow, already operated from Maidstone but needed more space to accommodate its growing team.

The company has taken on four interns from the University of Kent and four apprentices from local schools or colleges at its new offices at Maidstone House, King Street, earlier this year.

In addition to software development, SAP Business Objects, IBM Cognos and Microsoft full stack consultancy, the 50-strong Maidstone team handles Mobile App and website development, along with support and training for clients that include FTSE listed companies such as Bloomsbury, John Lewis, Centrica and Capita.

Explaining why the company chose to stay in Maidstone when it could have moved elsewhere, John Simpson, a Director of Influential Software who runs the Maidstone office, said after having to move to bigger premises twice since 2008, they were looking for a base for the development team with room for them to grow into and that was more appropriate for clients to visit.

“The transport links around Maidstone are phenomenal,” he said. “It’s right on the M20 and there are high speed train services to London from Maidstone West Station.

“Equally important for us are the schools, colleges and universities in the area. There are good schools, Mid Kent College is growing and investing £23 million in its campus and there are close links with the University of Kent. All of which means the local talent will be coming through to support our continued growth.”

Locate in Kent, the county’s investment promotion agency, helped Influential Software identify the offices at Maidstone House as a suitable location.

“We met them through local business networking events and Chris Panas from Locate in Kent worked closely with us on identifying suitable premises,” said John. “Maidstone House is a real hub for business in a growing town where there are more people commuting in to work than travelling away. As well as meeting all our criteria for future growth, we really wanted to be part of a growing community of businesses.”

“To be able to retain a company with such a commitment to taking on and developing local young people was vitally important for Maidstone,” said Chris Panas of Locate in Kent.

“Influential Software’s desire to stay and grow here reflects well on the town’s education providers, but also on its reputation as a good, well-connected place to do business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .