Member Article

Webhelp Enters Russian-Speaking Market with Latvian Expansion

Leading global business process outsourcing and customer experience expert Webhelp, has announced plans to expand its business with the addition of a new site in the capital of Latvia, Riga.

With 40% of the population in Latvia speaking fluent Russian, this move allows Webhelp to offer an additional non-European language capability from a base in the EU.

Webhelp has already secured a high profile new client to occupy the site and recruitment for more than 200 Russian speaking technical advisors and management positions is beginning now.

Olivier Duha, co-founder of Webhelp, said: “It is great news that we are able to expand our business into the Russian speaking market with the addition of this new site in Latvia. We already have one very high profile new client that we will service from this site and I’m sure many more will follow.

“Webhelp’s strategy is to grow the business geographically and through sector expertise. This move adds both an additional language capability and a new country to our portfolio, which is very exciting.”

Arvils Ašeradens, deputy prime minister of Latvia and minister of economics, welcomed the news: “Developing new export opportunities and attracting foreign investment are among the main priorities of the Latvian government. I am pleased to see the successful outcome of my visit to Sweden and the meeting with Webhelp Nordic CEO, Terje Andreassen, bringing benefits to both parties. The decision of Webhelp to open an office in Riga is a significant step towards closer and deeper cooperation between both countries.

“For Nordic companies we are the “Affordable North” - sharing the same work ethics, with a good understanding of the Nordic culture, yet having one of the EU’s best wage adjusted labour productivity in administrative services, and with experience in Russian and Eastern markets.

“We are proud Riga will be the location for Webhelp services and it acknowledges our ability to provide the highest quality service for the most demanding customers.”

Webhelp will initially be recruiting more than 200 Russian speaking people to work at the Riga site where they will be handling Russian language technical support calls for a major international technology brand. Full training will be provided for all new colleagues in Riga beginning in June 2017, once the office has been refurbished.

Terje Andreassen, CEO of Webhelp Nordic, who will be responsible for the Latvian business, said: “We are very excited to be expanding into this new territory. Initially we will be recruiting over 200 people, but we anticipate strong growth for this business and therefore we hope to recruit additional people in the future. We are excited by the prospects of our business in Latvia. It is a welcoming climate for business and we are very impressed by the available pool of talent here.”

Andris Ozols, director of the investment and development agency of Latvia, commented: “We are proud that Webhelp has chosen Latvia as its new location, as global business services is one of our strategic sectors for investment promotion. Because Latvia has highly developed communications infrastructure, qualified and motivated professionals with language and communication skills, we are a prime destination for servicing international customers. Also, with its central location, Riga is well connected with other major European cities. I am convinced that the new center in Riga will quickly prove that it really is the best place for Webhelp to take on new challenges.”

If you would like more information on the available positions or to apply, contact: Camilla Rose on +45 8816 6616 or camilla.rose@nordic.webhelp.com

http://www.webhelp.com/en-gb/news-insights/news/145208/

ENDS

Press information:

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Heather Astbury, head of PR at Webhelp, on +44(0)7825 593242, heather.astbury@uk.webhelp.com

Or

Terje Andreassen, CEO Webhelp Nordic, +46 70 226 42 85, terje.andreassen@nordic.webhelp.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Heather Astbury .