Buoyant mkodo celebrates growth in Newcastle

A digital product expert has expanded its Newcastle operation by 700 per cent since 2016, with 10 new team members joining during the coronavirus lockdown period.

Delivering apps and digital products for mobile, online and retail environments, mkodo has grown its local team from four to 32 as it continues to hire locally during the pandemic.

This month, mkodo will launch its graduate scheme EVOLVE, which has seen the company provide training opportunities to a number of recently qualified students from Newcastle University, Northumbria University and Teesside University.

Since the scheme started five years ago, 19 out of 21 graduates have taken on full-time jobs at mkodo after completing the training, demonstrating the success of the programme.

With most university fairs cancelled due COVID-19, mkodo will host a digital recruitment process to select candidates for this year’s programme.

The company, which has its headquarters in London, chose Newcastle as its tech hub back in 2015 because of the city’s evolving digital sector and committed tech community, together with its proximity to several excellent universities.

Stuart Godfree, managing director at mkodo, said: “We are thrilled to have expanded our office in Newcastle so significantly over the last five years and to have been able to continue to create new employment opportunities during a very challenging year for businesses.

“When we selected Newcastle as the base for our tech hub, we set out to create several new jobs in the area and we are delighted to have realised this vision.

“We are proud to be a part of the tech community in Newcastle and to work with the local universities to develop the talent that exists here.”

Jennifer Hartley, director at Invest Newcastle, added: “Five years ago, mkodo recognised our city as a place to build a successful regional hub outside London and to develop their innovative and proven product range.

“Our digital and tech strengths will play a huge role in the recovery of our economy and it is promising to see other businesses recognising us as a ‘northern city hub’ as they look to move from big London-based headquarters, valuing our innovation assets, quality of life and talent we have on offer.

“We hope more and more businesses like mkodo will come and be part of our story.”