Amazon launches digital innovation centre in East London

ONLINE RETAILER Amazon has launched a digital media innovation centre in East London to boost technology jobs in the capital.

According to Amazon, the centre will host a number of design and development teams focusing on digital media projects that will benefit customers around the world.

"London is a hotbed of tech talent and testament to that fact is Amazon choosing the capital as the location for the new global Digital Media Development Centre," said Paula Byrne, managing director of the centre.

"Innovation is part of the Amazon DNA and we are creating a British centre of excellence to design and develop the next generation of TV and film services for a wide range of digital devices."

Software development engineers, graphic designers and user-interface experts will be based in the centre, which is located in Glasshouse Yard by Barbican tube station, a stone's throw from London's Tech City.

Amazon said the team will focus on the creation of interactive digital services for TVs, game consoles, smartphones and PCs, as well as development of the digital media experience on Amazon web sites globally.

An Amazon spokesman told The INQUIRER he could not disclose any specific details on the projects but said new jobs should be created by the centre.

"We are a growing company and should we need to recruit in the future, we believe that London will provide us with a great pool of talent from which to draw," he said.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson approved the move. "We know we have the talent, the space and infrastructure to make the most of the digital economy - this will be my prime message during Games-time, as I seek to woo even more companies for the capital, delivering jobs and growth for Londoners," he said.

"Amazon's investment propels us well up the league table of global tech cities and we thank them for their vote of confidence." µ