Cheltenham's Emerge Digital announces new graduate scheme to support 30 per cent growth

Three new graduates at Cheltenham-based technology consultancy, Emerge Digital, mark the launch of the company’s first graduate scheme following a successful history of employing apprentices.

The new hires include graduate software engineer, Sergei Drew, working within Emerge Digital's innovation division, and two graduate sales executives, Max Wilkins and Fergal O’Kane, to help the business continue to grow its client base.

The new recruits are to support the firm’s continued growth, having increased its revenue by more than 30 per cent in the last 12 months.

After rebranding last year from First Solution to Emerge Digital, the launch of its new service and product lines such as its AI consultancy service and OnyxSecure package, have acted as catalysts for growth, with the brand's client base also increasing by 30 per cent.

The company has also made critical appointments at board level, including renowned cyber academic and government advisor, Professor Richard Benham, who joined as a non-executive chairman. Phil Ball also joined the team as head of innovation in May 2023, to spearhead the technology development arm of the business. These hires mark a 35 per cent increase in team size at the firm within the last 12 months.

The company’s success this year has also been recognised with local and industry awards. Emerge Digital named the South West’s Technology Solutions Agency of the Year 2023 in the Small Business Awards 2023. The brand was also named a finalist in the Cyber Business of the Year category and shortlisted in the Customer Excellence category at the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2023.

CEO of Emerge Digital, Nigel Church, said: 'This year marks a significant milestone for Emerge Digital. Our continued growth and the infusion of fresh, talented graduates into our workforce embody the success we've strived for and the bright future ahead.

'Our history of progressing people from apprentices to fully fledged developers, executives and engineers has given us great experience in helping people find their way into a career in technology. Our graduate scheme is the subsequent step in our commitment to creating jobs for the next generation of innovators in the South West.'

The company’s contribution to the local job market was also recognised by a recent visit from Myles Stacey OBE, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister.

The visit included an in-depth discussion on its apprenticeship scheme, its newly initiated graduate programme, and the increasing influence of AI in today’s workplace, particularly in the south west, which has become a cyber and technology hub in the UK.