The Kantar group, one of the world's leading specialists in analytics and consultancy for brands, has announced that it will invest US$5 million in the city of Porto to create a new Regional Delivery Centre, where by the end of 2022 it intends to employ 200 professionals and recent graduates in the group's finance, human resources and purchasing areas.

According to the company, the recent success of Porto in attracting and expanding the Regional Delivery Centres of large global companies was a key factor in the decision taken by Kantar. The offer of multilingual talent, together with the city's technological infrastructure and growing innovative ecosystem, reinforced the choice of the English group.

Ian Griffiths, deputy CEO and CFO of the group, commented on the investment decision in Porto: “Over the past two years Kantar has embarked on a journey of profound transformation. Our investment in Porto is a fundamental step in this direction, ensuring adequate support capabilities for the exceptional service that is expected by our customers and stakeholders. I am excited about the development of these new skills in Porto, which will allow us to support our growth ambitions.”

In reaction to the announcement, Ricardo Valente, councillor for Economy, Tourism and Commerce of the Porto City Council, said that “the decision taken by the Kantar group to locate a new Regional Delivery Centre in Porto demonstrates well the quality of the talent and ecosystem that the city ​​offers these days. The new highly qualified jobs, which will be created by a world leading company such as Kantar, represent a great opportunity for the people of Porto and for the development of the city.” The Kantar group's visit to Porto was facilitated by InvestPorto, a unit of the Porto City Council created to promote high-value investments for the sustainable growth of the city.

The Kantar group has established a partnership with Hays recruitment company to identify and select employees for the new centre.

The new facilities in Porto are expected to start operations by the end of the first half of 2022.