Over 200 new jobs are being created in Tyne and Wear by engineering and construction giant Balfour Beatty which has unveiled plans to establish a new office in the region.

Balfour Beatty is the latest big name investor to announce it is to move to Quorum Business Park in North Tyneside following support from Tyne and Wear Development Company.

The company, which employs 30,000 people across the UK is creating a new customer support centre at Quorum and has taken lease on a new 41,000 sq ft office at the business park – making it one of the biggest property deals in the region in 2010.

It was supported throughout the project by Tyne and Wear Development Company which worked closely with North Tyneside Council to deliver relevant business support. This included advising on property sites across the region, connecting the company to other sources of support and providing detailed background information about the area.

The new customer service centre will bring together some of Balfour’s nationwide accounting and payroll functions in one office. Initially employing 200, the centre could accommodate up to 400 within three years.

Tyne and Wear Development Company and its partners – including One North East – are now working with Balfour Beatty to support its recruitment drive.

Ian Dawson, who is heading the new centre, explains: “The skills and adaptability of the local workforce and the facilities at Quorum are the kind of top class facilities we are looking for.

“When the centre is up-and- running next year, we will have a dedicated and highly motivated team delivering an excellent service to our customers.

“We have been highly impressed by the level of support available within the region, in particular from Tyne and Wear Development Company. The provided support from very early on in the process using their local knowledge to offer the right advice, guidance and experience we needed and help us to tap into a network of other local support.

Paul Buie, manager of Tyne and Wear Development Company, explains: “Balfour Beatty’s decision is good news for the region and is a ‘win win’ in terms of jobs and broader economic opportunities.

“They are a global firm with sales worth billions and this will have a knock on effect in creating opportunities through the regional supply chain.

“In the current climate, business support must be delivered quickly and effectively. Alongside our partners, we’ve been heavily involved in this project since the formative stages and are delighted to attract such a major inward investment to the region.

“It’s another feather in the cap for Quorum on the back of other major deals including Tesco Bank and insurethebox.”

Balfour Beatty employs 50,000 people around the world and recorded sales of more than £3bn in the first half of 2010.