US leading-edge software firm ForgeRock has officially opened its UK headquarters and European engineering base in Bristol with the pledge to further strengthen the city’s position as centre for the global technology industry.
The firm aims to work with Bristol’s established tech companies and also recruit at least 20 people in engineering and client support roles as it builds its UK presence.
ForgeRock has grown spectacularly since its launch two years ago in Silicon Valley to become a global player in ‘open source’ software with an impressive list of 100-plus customers worldwide, including blue-chip corporations and public sector clients such as Toyota, Allianz, CapGemini, Betfair, News International, Nomura, Vodafone and AOL.
Global venture capital firm Accel Partners invested $7m (£4.45m) in the business in March and it is now using this funding to open offices across the world – including Bristol.
Vice president services Steve Ferris, who will run the Bristol office, said: “We’ve come here because the city already has possibly the best concentration of IT companies and research organisations in the UK – across software, hardware, robotics, microprocessor design and digital media – and so we can not only look to work with these businesses, but also draw upon the serious talent pool of people available.
“Our Bristol office will be our first European Engineering centre and we are looking for the very best staff to fill at least 20 roles. We offer the rare opportunity for developers to work in engineering roles for a Silicon Valley startup outside of the valley.”
He said the office bring the Silicon Valley way of working to Bristol – with a well-stocked cellar bar, games room, free drinks and snacks – as well as the opportunity for employees to own a stake in the business. There is also the chance for staff to work in the company’s head office in San Francisco or other offices in Washington State, Norway and France.
“The people we are looking for will already be in IT, but they don’t have to come from an open source background,” said Mr Ferris.
“It’s about attitude as much as anything else – we’re prepared to train the right people to give them the skills they need. And we hope to work closely with the local universities as they produce an incredibly skilled talent pool. We’re also keen to hear from Bristol IT businesses that would like to work with us – there’s huge potential for collaborative working within the open source arena here in Bristol.”
Invited to this evening’s official opening are guests drawn from Bristol’s IT businesses and public bodies, including city councillors Mark Wright and Guy Poultney who are championing Bristol as a UK open source hub.
Cllr Poultney, cabinet member for communities, said ForgeRock’s arrival further reinforced Bristol’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading digital and creative cities and a great location for companies to invest and grow.
“We are keen to do all we can to support this sector by creating world-class digital infrastructure through our ambitious Gigabit Bristol plans to deliver ultrafast broadband and citywide WiFi,” he said.
For more information on ForgeRock in Bristol, including job opportunities, visit www.forgerockbristol.com.
Pictured at the launch party are, left to right, Steve Ferris, ForgeRock, VP Services; Lasse Andreson, ForgeRock, CEO; Cllr Guy Poultney, Bristol City Council champion for open source and cabinet member for communities; Cllr Dr Mark Wright, Bristol City Council and formerly responsible for ICT at Bristol City Council
