Telesales firm to create 200 jobs at Glasgow site

AQUIRA, a direct marketing firm run by a former director of call centre operator HeroTSC, is creating 200 jobs in Glasgow following the opening of its offices at Pacific Quay.

The jobs cover consumer and business-to-business sales and are being supported by a £500,000 regional selective assistance (RSA) grant from Scottish Enterprise. Some 60 posts have already been filled.

Sheffield-based Aquira works with a number of large firms such as Aviva, BT, Visa and Vodafone. In addition to telemarketing, the group also uses email, mobile marketing and social media.

The company was co-founded in 2008 by chief executive Mark Walton, who was previously business development director at HeroTSC, the Scottish call centre business now owned by France’s Webhelp. His partner, managing director Marilyn Barnes, also worked with HeroTSC prior to setting up Aquira.

“We see Scotland as a very attractive place to invest in and we don’t see that changing in the future,” Barnes said. “The country is rich in opportunity, which makes it a great place to do business.

“We think Scotland has some key competitive advantages, not least its strong skills base.”

News of the office opening came a day after law firm Ashurst secured a £2.4 million RSA grant to create up to 300 jobs in Glasgow.

The roles will initially include 30 “legal analysts” – who will carry out tasks normally fulfilled by trainees, junior lawyers or paralegals in London – along with about 120 business support staff.

KRISTY DORSEY