Up to 130 new jobs are to be created in Wales by joint venture (JV) partnership, KeolisAmey.

Having secured the contract for the Wales and Borders rail service and South Wales Metro, Keolis UK is planning to relocate its London headquarters to a new office in Wales by 2019, as well as moving its global rail division from Paris to Wales by 2020.

Elsewhere, Amey will establish a new design hub in Wales to offer consultancy services, while further jobs will be created when the companies open a shared services and customer contact centre providing services to the KeollisAmey businesses. Overall, the two new head offices will result in 130 new roles.

-- Advertisement --

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: "The decision by internationally recognised companies Keolis and Amey to between them locate two  headquarters and two new offices to Wales is a real coup, and a move that we predict will provide a significant economic boost, beginning with the creation of a further 130 high quality jobs."

Alistair Gordon, CEO of Keolis UK, said: "Being selected as Transport for Wales' partner for the next 15 years means that we'll be a part of the fabric of Wales for almost a generation. Moving our headquarters here underlines our commitment and embeds us within the communities we'll be serving."

Mr Gordon also confirmed that Keolis' new HQ will become a centre of excellence, working closely with the shared service centre to become a centre of knowledge which can be utilised by all Keolis' subsidiaries.

Nicola Hindle, Managing Director of Consulting & Rail at Amey, said: "As part of our long-term commitment to Wales, and building on our existing presence with over 300 employees delivering services for the Welsh people, we will be investing in a new Amey Consulting design hub in Wales.

"This new office will be a fantastic addition to our strategic network of consultancy hubs across the UK in Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Motherwell, Edinburgh, Belfast and Crawley."

(LM/MH)