Digital learning provider Sponge has announced the opening of a new Sheffield office, potentially creating 10 jobs.
Sam Lydiat has been appointed as the Plymouth firm’s new Head of Project Management and will head up the office.
The new office is based at Sheffield Technology Parks in the Cultural Industries Quarter. The company is currently recruiting for 10 positions with “potential to be based out of the Sheffield office”, including learning experience directors, learning designers, developers, digital designers, project managers and sales account managers.
VP of Operations Alan Bourne said: “Historically known as the ‘Steel City’, Sheffield has undergone major regeneration in recent years. When we were scoping locations, we were struck by the city’s innovative spirit and commitment to the rapidly developing creative and digital industries.
“With Sponge having been at the forefront of creative digital learning for 15 years, we see Sheffield as the ideal location for our first office in the north of England and our new space in the Cultural Industries Quarter is the perfect fit.
“With a wealth of experience in both digital learning and project management, and a proven track record in managing multi-disciplinary teams, we’re very fortunate to have Sam onboard and we’re excited to see him grow our presence in the region. In fact, quality and availability of skills were significant factors in our decision-making process when it came to location.
“With two world-class universities, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, on our door step, we believe our new base will enable us to continue to attract the brightest talent to meet our ambitious growth projections.”
Lydiat added, “I’m delighted to join the Sponge team and very much look forward to establishing the company’s Sheffield base, as well as heading up a dedicated team of project managers across the UK and Ireland.
“I’ve already been blown away by Sponge’s creativity and leadership in learning innovation and foresee a very bright future for the company in Sheffield. It’s no coincidence that companies such as Boeing and McLaren have also chosen this vibrant and thriving city as their base.”
Sponge was founded in 2004 and is one of the largest independently-owned custom digital learning providers in Europe. Last year, the company opened offices in Bristol and Dublin, as well as expanding its London office and growing headcount at its Plymouth headquarters.
Within the next three years, Sponge is planning further expansion in the UK and Europe, as well as the USA.
