Kavaleer, the Irish animation studio behind shows including Dino SOS (pictured) and Snake News, and whose clients include CBeebies, S4C, HBO Max and Kids’ CBC, has announced it will open its first ever overseas office in Manchester, creating 20 jobs and launching a new international co-production in the process.
The announcement comes as a major trade mission led by Enterprise Ireland gets underway, bringing 30 high-growth Irish companies across construction, engineering, digital technology, manufacturing and the creative industries to Manchester.
A new survey from Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s trade and innovation agency, has shown that 38 per cent of Irish companies plan to significantly increase investment in the North of England, while one in five intend to hire there in 2026.
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The UK is Ireland’s largest and most strategically important export market, and Irish business has evolved from a traditional export model into an embedded, operationally committed presence within the UK economy.
Also announced as the visit kicks off, Recruitment provider Osborne has opened its first UK office in Manchester, with plans to support ten new jobs in 2026, construction consultancy KSNPM has established a base in the city and engineering firm Glanua has launched a North West office in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, with a team of ten already in place and a further five roles currently being recruited.
Niamh Smyth, minister for trade promotion, AI and digital transformation, said: “The Irish government’s market diversification strategy reflects our ambition to build a more resilient, competitive and globally connected Irish economy.
“Ireland’s connection with Manchester and the North of England is long-standing and continues to strengthen year on year.
“You can see this in the influx of Irish companies opening here, the jobs they are creating, and the major projects Irish firms are helping to deliver, from the Etihad Stadium expansion to the University of Manchester.
“These companies are bringing partnership, innovation and delivery expertise that drive growth on both sides of the Irish Sea.”
Deirdre McPartlin, head of UK, Nordics and new exporters at Enterprise Ireland, added: “Our survey captures the extraordinary depth of Irish companies’ commitment in the UK, hiring, investing and growing year on year.
“It also shows that alignment between Irish capability and the UK’s most ambitious growth priorities has never been stronger, meeting the UK’s most critical needs in infrastructure, energy, digital transformation, AI and healthcare.
“Through our offices in Manchester, London and Scotland, we support Irish companies at every stage of their UK journey, from first steps to full-scale operations, and work with UK industry to connect them to world-class Irish delivery partners.”
The trade mission programme includes a site visit to the Etihad Stadium with John Sisk & Son, where work is underway on Manchester City’s £300m expansion, alongside attendance at the Global Offshore Wind Conference in Manchester Central, where Enterprise Ireland clients will exhibit at the Ireland Pavilion.
The itinerary also features contract signings and business announcements, a Business Leaders Lunch, and bilateral meetings with Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, and Paul Dennett, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester.
Image: kavaleer.com
