Digital product expert mkodo has grown its Newcastle team by 700% since establishing in the city in 2016 with 10 new team members joining during the lockdown period.
mkodo, who delivers apps and digital products for mobile, online and retail environments in the betting, gaming and lottery sectors, has grown its local team from four to 32 in nearly five years and is continuing to hire in the area despite a difficult year for many industries.
The company has also managed to continue business without use of the furlough scheme over the last six months, having been quick to adapt to the challenges created by the Covid-19 outbreak.
In October, mkodo is set to once again, launch its successful grad scheme EVOLVE which has seen the company provide training opportunities to a number of recently qualified students from Newcastle University, Northumbria University and Teesside University.
Since the scheme started five years ago, 19 out of 21 graduates have taken on full-time jobs at mkodo after completing the training, demonstrating the success of the programme and mkodo’s commitment to job creation. With most university fairs cancelled this year due the Covid-19 pandemic, mkodo will host a digital recruitment process to select candidates for the programme and continue to support Newcastle’s graduates.
The company, which has its headquarters in London, chose Newcastle as its tech hub back in 2015 because of the city’s evolving digital sector and committed tech community, together with its proximity to several excellent universities. mkodo was also attracted to the vibrancy of the city and the great talent available.
Stuart Godfree, Managing Director at mkodo, said: “We are thrilled to have expanded our office in Newcastle so significantly over the last five years and to have been able to continue to create new employment opportunities during a very challenging year for businesses.
“When we selected Newcastle as the base for our tech hub, we set out to create several new jobs in the area and we are delighted to have realised this vision. We are proud to be a part of the tech community in Newcastle and to work with the local universities to develop the talent that exists here. ”
Jennifer Hartley, Director at Invest Newcastle, added: “Five years ago, mkodo recognised our city as a place to build a successful regional hub outside London and to develop their innovative and proven product range. Newcastle was chosen over more than a dozen other locations for mkodo’s first office outside of London. Since then we have watched them go from strength to strength, continuing to build on their UK presence from our great city.
“Newcastle has one of the largest and most historic Games communities in the UK and mkodo are making a huge contribution to our local economy, supporting graduates coming out of our world-leading universities and further positioning our city as a career destination. Their success signals confidence for the future and is testament to our city as a place to establish and grow a successful tech business. We are so proud to have mkodo in our city and of the role they are playing in creating new opportunities, skilled careers and in encouraging diversity within the sector.
“Our digital and tech strengths will play a huge role in the recovery of our economy and it is promising to see other businesses recognising us as a ‘northern city hub’ as they look to move from big London-based headquarters, valuing our innovation assets, quality of life and talent we have on offer. We hope more and more businesses like mkodo, will come and be part of our story.”
mkodo has been shortlisted in the Best Employer of the Year category at the prestigious SBC Awards 2020, an annual industry event which recognises and rewards expertise and innovation in the betting and gaming industries. This year, the event will be digital and will take place on December 9.
