Napier AI Establishes Belfast Office, Creating 106 High-Skilled Jobs

London-based financial technology firm Napier AI has selected Belfast as the location for its new office, bringing 106 high-paying jobs to Northern Ireland’s growing technology sector. The anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance solutions provider chose Belfast over competing locations in Poland and Portugal.

The investment represents a significant boost for Northern Ireland’s fintech ecosystem, with Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald describing it as “a vote of confidence in our skilled workforce.” The new positions will offer average salaries exceeding £46,000, substantially above the regional average.

Napier AI, founded in London in 2015, specializes in developing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that help banking institutions enhance their financial crime compliance capabilities. The company’s expansion into Belfast highlights Northern Ireland’s emerging reputation as a center for AI-driven financial technology innovation.

The office is already operational with 25 positions filled. Future openings will include roles for software developers, business analysts, and program managers, creating opportunities for local technology professionals. The company’s hybrid working model will help distribute these employment benefits across the region rather than concentrating them solely in Belfast.

Invest Northern Ireland played a crucial role in securing the investment, working closely with Napier AI throughout the decision process. Kieran Donoghue, Invest NI’s chief executive, emphasized the importance of partnerships with educational institutions like Queen’s University, Ulster University, and local further education colleges in developing the talent pipeline that makes Northern Ireland attractive to technology companies.

Greg Watson, Napier AI’s chief executive, cited the region’s “exceptional talent pool, world-class universities, and supportive business environment” as key factors in the company’s decision to establish operations in Belfast. He expressed commitment to delivering long-term value both for the local economy and for Napier’s global client base through this expansion.

This investment further strengthens Northern Ireland’s position in the competitive financial technology sector, particularly in the rapidly growing field of AI-powered compliance solutions.