IT company expands workforce at its Thurso base

13th March 2013

A Caithness IT company is creating new jobs in the North of Scotland as it relocates to a new office in Thurso town centre.

Escape Group is to move from the Janetstown Industrial Estate where it has been operating for three years.

The company provides IT infrastructure consultancy and support to local, national and international clients and is now investing in new office accommodation and jobs.

The move is supported by a £98,000 employment grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). From the Caithness base, Escape manage a remote helpdesk for clients across the UK, Ireland, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Escape employs 35 people at its headquarters in Aberdeen and at an office in Glasgow with a turnover of over £3 million.

Director Mike Bain, who is originally from Thurso, founded the business in 1999 with business partner Robin Parkinson.

He said: "It is fantastic that the government supports efforts like these. As in any business the right investment can see good returns. Since the grant was awarded in December, Escape has created four new jobs, bringing the total to nine staff with an annual investment in Caithness at over £250,000 per annum."

Since expanding to Caithness in 2010, the company has built up a strong reputation in the area where they manage various IT packages for clients operating across the Highlands and Islands, Scotland and internationally.

Mr Bain continued: "The skills and talent available in Caithness is a major reason for attracting us to the region, and we see this as a growth area for us as we continue to build our IT outsourcing business within the Energy sector.

"Escape remains focused on the global oil and gas industry and have diversified into the construction and renewable industries as well as nuclear."

Nick Scroggie, Development Manager at HIE, said: "HIE is delighted to support this exciting venture by one of Scotland’s fastest growing IT companies. As an agency, HIE works closely with the business to continually plan for its growth and to identify new markets in the UK and internationally.

"Escape is an excellent example of what a business with small roots can achieve with drive and ambition. The company has successfully entered a number of new international markets and plan to grow this significantly over the years."

For further information visit http://www.escapegroup.co.uk