WORK has started on the refurbishment of the old Maysfield Leisure Centre site into office space for US business services conglomerate Concentrix.

Concentrix is a global business services company with operations across six continents, with approximately 125 delivery centres. It has more than 90,000 employees servicing more than 450 clients in more than 40 languages.

Philip Cassidy, Concentrix Senior Vice President, said: “It is fantastic that the refurbishment of our offices is moving to the next phase. As leaders in customer service and technical support, the 1,500 new workstations and the redevelopment will be invaluable to our global business and local growth. It is a great opportunity to be able to redevelop a site which has been vacant for so long, while securing jobs in the city.”

This will be the fifth Concentrix site in Belfast. The company has additional locations in Lanyon Place, River House in High Street, Lesley Exchange in East Bridge Street and Concentrix House in Fountain Street.

Visiting the site, Finance Minister and South Belfast MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said: “When I visited Concentrix headquarters in California in 2013, the company told me they would double down on their investment in Belfast if the city continued to be a magnet for talent, tech and diversity.

“I’m pleased that they have now made good on that promise by putting down roots in the city with this impressive investment at the former Maysfield Leisure Centre. I have no doubt Concentrix’s confidence in the future will impact positively on other potential investors and help rejuvenate Belfast along the Lagan. Plaudits must go to SVP Philip Cassidy whose ambassadorial efforts won this investment for his native city.”

Contractors O’Hare and McGovern Ltd expect to have up to 150 people working on the site. It is the first time the firm has been contracted by Concentrix. Managing Director Martin Lennon said he hoped the scheme signalled the start of a developing relationship with a company which he acknowledged, has a worldwide reputation as a leader in global business services and whose client portfolio in Belfast includes several international brands such as Microsoft, Cisco and GoDaddy.

Mr Lennon, who attended thes ceremony, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be associated with this project and especially Concentrix. O’Hare and McGovern is centrally involved in changing Belfast’s landscape, and this new development is one of the key factors in the drive to regenerate this particular area of the city. It’s a demanding but exciting challenge and we are thrilled to be part of it. “