In recent years, Thessaloniki has become a top destination for foreign investors. With the arrival of large multinational companies, who have established digital technology centers in the city, Thessaloniki is now evolving into an innovation hub for Southeast Europe with thousands of new jobs.
The city’s significant academic foundations, with the presence of three major universities – the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Macedonia, and the International University of Greece – and the large population of students and young people, are two of reasons drawing investors. Furthermore, considerable growth is taking place in the region, from the creation of multiple startups to the development of Thess Intec science park, the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas and the Alexander Innovation Zone.
With its Balkan hinterland, its port facilities and strategic location between Europe, Asia and Africa, Thessaloniki has become a pole of attraction for new investments worth hundreds of millions of euros.
The latest of the corporate giants to arrive in the past year: Chubb. An American insurance company that provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients .
It operates in 54 countries and territories around the world and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. The new research and innovation hub in Thessaloniki represents a major investment for the company and is its only such facility in Europe. Together with the US, India and Mexico, Chubb’s new technology hub in Thessaloniki will support the group globally and in its operations throughout Europe. Its mission is to deliver high-tech and innovative solutions to enhance the customer experience, increase efficiency and accelerate the company’s digital transformation.
Chubb’s Thessaloniki technology hub is focused on:
- Intelligent process automation
- Machine learning / Artificial intelligence
- Cloud solutions
- Data engineering
At the moment the company is based in Thermi, in the Phoenix building in work offices of 1600 sqm, but is in search of a new space for relocation of about 5000 sqm as its needs grow: the 52 employees of April in 2023, became 138 in November. By the end of the year, the company aims to increase the number of its employees to 160, while over the next three years it is planning for even more hires: by the end of 2025, the company aspires to have 500 professionals working for it. Most of the workforce is from Greece, but other nationalities at the Center include: Americans, Dutch, Swedish, Ukrainian, Irish and Russians.
Among the initiatives undertaken by the company is its two-year Technology Associate Program, which welcomes new graduates and helps develop the skills and experience they need to pursue a future career in the company. Chubb also actively supports women in the workplace and has launched its in-house Women in Tech program in Greece to promote young women in their careers.
Above all, the company takes pride in its professional and supportive work environment, and the opportunities it provides employees to work on innovative solutions for a global company.
And with access to top notch talent and graduates from Greek, European Union and North American universities, Thessaloniki can provide young people with world class employment opportunities. This is how the right people can be drawn to Greece. And this is what Chubb has to offer.
Editor:Lina Tsingana
Version in English: Lina Tsingana
