Indian software firms come to London

Two Indian software companies have confirmed plans to create 500 jobs in London over the next three years.

Apar Infotech and Polaris Software have both recently extended their global operations to the UK. Rumours have been circulating since November that the companies were planning a move to London, but it hasn't been clear until now just how many jobs will be created.

Soumitra Rathod, senior vice president at Apar Infotech, told Silicon.com that around 50 positions will open over the next year followed by another 350 by 2002.

The remaining 100 jobs will come from Apar's competitor, Polaris Software. Silicon.com talked to Dawan Prasad, country manager at Polaris, who said that the job creation will be driven by business, which he expects to be brisk.

The prospect of a much publicised skills shortage didn't seem to concern either of the software companies. Both spokesmen said they fully expect that personnel will need to be sourced from elsewhere. "Whatever personnel we can't find locally will be brought in from abroad," said Rathod of Apar. This view was echoed by Prasad.

A spokeswoman from London First Centre - the organisation responsible for inward investment in the capital - told Silicon.com that the companies have been reassured by the fact that London is still a magnet for European IT labour, despite a more generic shortage across the country. "London is the European launchpad for highly skilled and qualified people, which is borne out by a good overall track record in inward investment," she said.