Today, Scrumconnect Consulting, the esteemed digital technology firm, has announced the opening of a new office in Newcastle. The office, located in Portland House in the heart of the city, will be involved in an increasing number of government transformations in the North East, such as the HMRC's DALAS framework and Scrumconnect's ongoing work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). These projects are the first phase of a broader plan by Scrumconnect Consulting to expand their workforce from 300 to 1,000 employees within the next four years, with more than half of these positions to be based in the North of England.

Scrumconnect Consulting specialises in providing digital services to the public sector, currently supporting 16 of the Central Digital & Data Office's top 75 government services. Their user-centred approach to designing digital services has brought about noted results for key departments including the Home Office, HMCTS, the Department for Education, and the DWP.

The new office is expected to create 150 new jobs in the North East, simultaneously boosting the local economy with an investment of £40 million over the next four years. This expansion into Newcastle not only reflects Scrumconnect's growing partnerships with government departments in the region but also contributes to the company's wider growth plans.

"The next few years are a great opportunity for growth in the North East as it starts the process of devolution,” stated Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central. "Attracting companies like Scrumconnect Consulting to the North Eastis an important part of that future prosperity. By providing jobs, investment and expertise to Newcastle, Scrumconnect Consulting will help the city deliver on its potential to be a digital powerhouse."

In line with this growth and investment, Scrumconnect Consulting has named Mark Duncan as Chief Digital Officer to usher growth in this region. Born and raised in the North East, Duncan’s local insights and expertise will be beneficial for the company's operations in Newcastle.

"Our £40 million investment and expansion into Newcastle is a strategic move that reflects our growing partnerships with government departments like HMRC in the North East," noted Praveen Karadiguddi, CEO, Scrumconnect Consulting. "The North East is on the cusp of devolution in May 2024, and it’s seen an injection of investment through the Levelling Up Fund. It's a prime time for forward-thinking private sector businesses like ours to step in and play a pivotal role in unlocking Newcastle's vast potential."

Karadiguddi further highlighted the positive outcomes of Scrumconnect Consulting's contributions. "In the last 24 months alone, our user-centred approach has transformed more than 64 public sector services. Today, Scrumconnect Consulting is making a significant impact on the daily lives of more than 50 million UK citizens – including digitally processing court cases, passport applications and renewals and managing state pension details,” he added.