Sky announces major investment in digital skills

Sky is stepping up its commitment to digital skills and innovation with the creation of a brand new, world-class technology hub in the north of England, and the expansion of its dedicated technology training schemes.

The new technology hub, which will create up to 400 highly-skilled jobs, will open later this year in Leeds. It will be focused on designing and developing Sky's next generation of websites and apps across its offering.

Based at Allied London's Leeds Dock, in the heart of the city, the hub will establish a dynamic and creative environment for Sky's technology teams, expanding their capabilities in order to continue to lead the growth of new ways of watching content on multiple devices, in and out of the home.

Sky is also expanding its commitment to those starting out in their careers in technology by creating its second Software Engineering Academy, in Leeds, which will offer opportunities for young people across the north of England to gain skills and build a career in technology. In addition, Sky has increased the number of places on offer at its successful Software Engineering Academy in London.

The Software Engineering Academy offers graduates a hands-on, accelerated learning programme, providing practical, on-the-job training including opportunities to develop and support software for teams across Sky, including Sky Sports.

In London, the number of places available at the Academy annually has increased from 24 to 36. The company aims to emulate the success of the London Software Engineering Academy in Leeds, initially recruiting 24 graduates and eight apprentices a year. These will join the 118 young people who've gone through the Software Engineering Academy since launch four years ago.

Sky is mirroring its expansion in the UK by increasing its involvement in the US technology industry as it seeks to partner and collaborate with ambitious start-ups in Silicon Valley. Sky has already entered into successful partnerships with a number of tech start-ups, including IP streaming service provider Roku, multiscreen video leader Elemental and video delivery firm 1 Mainstream.

Jeremy Darroch, Group Chief Executive, Sky, commented: Digital skills and innovation are at the heart of what we do at Sky, helping us give customers the best possible TV experience, whether at home or on the move. With our investment in Leeds, we're creating one of the largest digital communities in the UK. We are looking forward to bringing hundreds of new jobs to the city and giving young people the opportunity to build their skills and help shape the digital services of the future.

The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Business, Skills and Innovation, commented: I'm delighted that Sky is furthering its investment in Leeds with the creation of 400 new jobs and a new technology hub. The announcement is a boost to the digital economy of the entire Northern Powerhouse, and will undoubtedly help to cement Leeds as a leading technology cluster.

Notes to editors

Sky's new technology hub, Sky@Leeds Dock, will be based in Allied London's Leeds Dock development, in the heart of the city centre.

The creation of the technology hub will take the total number of Sky employees based in Leeds to over 1,000, across technology and customer services.

For more information:

Euan Fordyce

Email: euan.fordyce@sky.uk

Telephone: 020 7032 3276

Follow us on twitter: @SkyCorporate

Visit: www.sky.com/corporate

About Sky

Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company. The group serves 21 million customers across five countries: Italy, Germany, Austria, the UK and Ireland. We offer the best and broadest range of content, deliver market-leading customer service and use innovative new technology to give customers a better TV experience, whenever and wherever they choose.

Sky has annual revenues of over £11 billion and is Europe's leading investor in television content with a combined programming budget of over £4.6 billion. The company employs 31,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

For more information visit www.sky.com/corporate.

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