Access Intelligence plans more investment in its hi-tech offices

The site is responsible for the development, testing and delivery of the group’s cloud-based software solutions and follows a £2m investment in the centre of excellence.

Access Intelligence, which counts The Bank of England, Aviva, Dixons Retail Group and L’Oreal among its customers, said all new projects will be based in York.

The group said the centre has played a major part in its winning a number of prestigious contracts over the past year, including Shell, BP, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Spirit Pub Company and Debenhams.

The group claims that its research and development is more innovative and has a faster time to market than the large software giants.

Yesterday the group announced an 11 per cent increase in turnover from continuing activities to £8m for the year to November 30. It reported a £500,000 annual pre-tax loss, down from a loss of £300,000 in 2011.

This followed the investment in the York project, which now employs 40 staff.

The group plans to be back in profit in 2013 after a year of investment in 2012.

Access Intelligence’s chief operating officer Joanna Arnold said: “The lower earnings are a result of our investment in York.

“We have made significant investment in York as our centre of excellence. We chose York as it is a very good area for technical expertise.

“We were able to get exceptional quality staff but at sensible prices given our current size.”

The group is planning further investment in its graduate scheme as it taps into the technical skills of nearby universities – York University in particular.

Chairman Michael Jackson said the group is already starting to see early signs of a return on its investment in York, with a 101 per cent increase in revenues contracted following the signing up of a number of new custo- mers.