100 new jobs at architectural firm

Leading Irish architectural firm Douglas Wallace is to recruit 100 additional staff as part of growth plans that would see the company expand operations here, in the UK and Europe.

The firm plans to employ more senior level architecture, design and branding professionals with senior expertise in delivering international projects.

The new recruits are to be taken on over the coming three years, the firm said yesterday. The announcement follows two recent high-profile acquisitions by the firm costing €3.7 million.

Douglas Wallace specialises in the design of commercial, retail, hotel and spa developments. The firm recently acquired the top Belfast firm Ferguson Wheeler for €2.7 million, and the London-based Corporate Edge Interiors and Architecture in a deal worth €1 million.

Douglas Wallace already has offices in London where the projects it is involved with include the redevelopment of Bow Street Magistrates Court and the Queensmere Observatory Centre in Slough.

The firm already employs 182 staff and provides services to clients in Ireland, the UK and Europe. It has offices in Dublin, Galway and Belfast, as well as London.

It will now invest €850,000 in its operations and intends to complete its new recruitment drive over three years.

New technology and new systems are to be used to deliver specialist architecture, retail and design consultancy services to clients.

Douglas Wallace currently has a turnover of more than €18 million and has projected turnover to grow to more than €30 million by 2010. It is a client of Enterprise Ireland's dedicated scaling division, which promotes the achievement of ambitious international growth objectives by high potential Irish firms.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Development, Micheál Martin said the overall quality of operation that has been developed by Douglas Wallace is very impressive.

"It is deeply encouraging to see a knowledge-based Irish enterprise grow in this manner," Mr Martin said. International expansion was a "logical step" for the firm, he added.