Ernst & Young to expand Kerala operations

TRIVANDRUM, INDIA: Ernst & Young Global Shared Services Tuesday announced plans for a major expansion of its Technopark operations here, including increasing its staff strength from the present 700 to 2,000 by 2012.

Ernst & Young Global Shared Services Technopark is a wholly-owned subsidiary of consulting major Ernst & Young Global.

Ernst & Young Global vice-chair Tim Eddy said the growth of the Technopark unit was key to the firm's plans.

"We already have some highly skilled people in Technopark providing some great service to a number of functions across the globe. We are investing in more talent now to help us achieve our market leadership ambitions," said Eddy.

This year, the unit will hire 300 people, followed by 1,000 next year. The expansion follows the organisation's increased operations since becoming part of Ernst & Young's Global Shared Services operations since July 2010.

The Technopark unit was earlier a support centre for Ernst & Young Middle East.

Binu Koshy, who leads the operations here, said infrastructure support, application development and security systems were key areas of recruitment.

"Kerala has excellent role models in IT to pick from, both home-grown and among its expatriates, who are making an impact globally in their business segments. Business leaders speak highly of the local workforce and the younger generation seems to be imbued with the right attitude of hard work, commitment and a can-do spirit," said Koshy.

Apart from Technopark, Ernst & Young has Shared Services centres in Bangalore, Gurgaon and Dalian (China), with another unit in Poland scheduled to begin operations this year.