Flutter Opens ￡15M Tech Hub in Leeds
Author:
Muhammad Gregory
Leading betting and gaming operator Flutter Entertainment has launched a brand-new technology and innovation hub in Leeds. The ￡15 million center has opened its doors to employees and is now one of the city’s biggest technology hubs. It will focus on areas including product development and software engineering, as well as offering Sky Betting and Gaming’s “Skills Academy”.
The new hub offers employees state of the art video conferencing and audio-visual equipment. ?ThisIsEngineering/Pexels
Sustainable Building
Flutter’s new technology and innovation hub can be found at 4 Wellington Place in Leeds. The newly developed building is open to colleagues from across its UK and Ireland and International divisions and can house 1,700 employees under one roof. Boasting 136,000 square feet of space spread across eight floors, the technology hub is one of the largest in the city.
The hub is located at Leeds Dock, a mixed development with retail, office and leisure facilities alongside residential waterside properties. Designed by MEPC, the hub aims to act as a center of excellence in technology and innovation, helping to drive forward the progress of Flutter’s portfolio of brands.
According to Flutter, its new hub has been built to the highest environmental standard. It has been awarded a BREEAM Excellent rating, in recognition of its sustainable design and construction, and possesses a range of accessibility features. It has also met the WELL building standard, which focuses on making healthier work environments.
Flutter is proud to be able to offer highly-skilled jobs at the hub and invest in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region. The hub will drive the Group’s innovation and growth by developing industry-leading digital products. These will be enjoyed by consumers around the world.
Amongst the 1,700 employees at the workspace will be 800 technology professionals, supporting its global sports trading platform, digital infrastructure, information security and platform security. The state-of-the-art hub has been designed to cater to the needs of its workforce, and includes high-tech equipment and facilities.
The top two floors are dedicated to social activities between teams, and break-out furniture is made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles. In the basement there are six electric car charging points, supporting greener commutes. In order to free up time and resources for the IT team, colleagues can use IT vending machines to access certain equipment.
Future of Working
Flutter has invested ￡1 million in VC and AV equipment to encourage more inclusive meetings between those working from home and those at the office. During the coronavirus lockdowns, much of Britain had to work remotely. For some, working from home is still necessary and offers a lifestyle improvement.
Announcing the opening of the new technology and innovation hub, CEO of Flutter Entertainment UK and Ireland Conor Grant praised the company’s foresight. Speaking in a press release, he stated:
“Our new office in Leeds is our vision for the future of working and we are excited to welcome our colleagues to this modern, agile and flexible workspace. The entire Flutter Group has benefited greatly from the leading technology capabilities we have developed in Leeds through our talented and highly skilled workforce, and this investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to both the city and our colleagues.”
The CEO went on to add that Flutter is committed to being a positive force in the communities it serves. Through its Skills Academy and Kickstart Scheme, it will be offering an array of exciting opportunities for young people to develop and learn new skills.
The hub is home to what was formally known as Sky Betting and Gaming’s, now Flutter Internationals, “Skills Academy”, which offers opportunities to a select number of graduates, including a fully funded MSc in Digital and Technology Solutions from Sheffield Hallam University. The graduates also benefit from valuable in-house experience through working with teams across the business.
Sky Betting and Gaming has also launched its own self-funded version of the government’s Kickstart scheme. The program aims to improve representation and diversity in the company, reflective of the communities it operates in. It also works to bridge the digital skills gap, by creating thirteen new roles for young people at risk of long-term unemployment. The roles are spread out across Flutter’s divisions, and include marketing, finance, tech, people and design.
Diversity and Inclusivity
Earlier this year, the Betting and Gaming Council pledged to create 5,000 apprenticeships over the next five years. The organization, which represents the UK’s casinos, bookmakers and online operators, backed the government’s “Plan For Jobs”, committing to provide young people with key industry skills and support the UK’s post-pandemic recovery.
Other operators have also partnered with the government’s Kickstart scheme. The scheme is available to young people on Universal Credit aged between 16 and 24. They can find industry roles advertised at local job centers and the online Kickstart jobs board. Whilst offering young people vital employment opportunities, the scheme also benefits employers by connecting them with fresh talent.
Such schemes are valuable in fostering more diverse and inclusive working environments. In July, FSB Technology partnered with Rubik Talent to launch a new graduate program aimed at those from underrepresented backgrounds. The graduate program provides opportunities incorporating skills such as front-end web development, back-end java development and application support analysis.
Flutter’s strategy to offer specialist training, graduate programs and a kickstart scheme for people from disadvantaged backgrounds will benefit the local community, whilst also aiding in the company’s own post-pandemic recovery. Addressing the digital skills gap is a key issue for the industry right now, especially as is undergoes a period of massive change.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on betting and gaming habits, driving more people to use online services over bricks and mortar bookies and casinos. Online operators are faring well out of this development, but they are having to update their business practices quickly to stay ahead of trends.
Flutter’s new hub at 4 Wellington Place, Leeds, is geared towards serving the evolving requirements of the industry, as well as those of its employees. It offers a more relaxed and informal way of working as well as cutting edge technology to allow its staff to maximize their potential.
