Jacobs Commits Further Investment in the UK with 2,400 New Hires

Opens European flagship office in London, supporting the company's growth strategy in Europe and the Middle East

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Nov 26, 2019, 19:01 ET

DALLAS, Nov. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE: JEC) Opening its new European flagship office in London at the Cottons Centre, Jacobs announced plans to hire approximately 2,400 staff in the U.K. over the next two years. The jobs will be a broad range of highly skilled professional and technical roles across diverse sectors.

Professor Brian Cox (fourth from left), and Jacobs President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Pragada (far right), spoke to 16 to 18-year-olds from local London schools, giving inspirational ideas for their future careers.

Joining Jacobs' existing U.K. talent force of more than 9,000 employees, these new roles will be based across the company's more than 30 U.K. offices, delivering digital and other advanced technical solutions to support more connected communities, cleaner air and water, cyber defenses, strategic deterrent, clean energy and environmental clean-up.

"Britain is a critical market for Jacobs. This investment is an indication of our ongoing confidence in the U.K. economy and its long-term infrastructure plans," said Jacobs President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Pragada. "Our people are helping to tackle some of the U.K.'s most complex challenges to make the future better, delivering projects to safeguard the environment and improve the security, connectivity, resiliency and productivity of the U.K."

Central to this investment in skills is Jacobs' commitment to developing the next generation of diverse talent. One-third of Jacobs' 1,300 hires in the U.K. over the past year were graduates, interns and apprentices. As part of its strategy to continue developing talent, Jacobs is collaborating with the London Interdisciplinary School to create a new undergraduate program integrated with the real world. Students will train to solve problems cross a variety of sectors.

Jacobs also has programs and a full suite of formal training to ensure existing employees are always learning. This includes courses to develop technical skills, continue professional development and train as mental health champions. Jacobs also offers an MSc in Business and Strategic Leadership with Cranfield University's School of Management to develop high-potential leaders.

At the London office opening, Professor Brian Cox spoke to 16 to18-year-olds from local London schools, aspiring engineers and Jacobs employees about the skills they will need for the future, giving inspirational ideas for future infrastructure projects.

"Jacobs' work to encourage and help young people to build STEM careers is impressive," said Professor Cox. "We are living in an exciting era of scientific discovery and rapid technological change, but we are also facing significant challenges as we try to build a better and sustainable future. What is certain is that the next generation's jobs will be unrecognizable from those we see today."

Cox continued: "Our young people therefore need new skills to meet these challenges and seize the opportunities. By nurturing talent, and investing in people early, we can provide the training, experience and development needed for us all to succeed in the long-term."

New European Flagship Office to Support Strategic Growth

The new London office is central to the company's growth strategy in Europe and the Middle East. The Jacobs-designed office on the banks of the Thames, takes advantage of sustainable reuse of space to provide a flexible, collaborative and high-energy work environment for up to 1,000 employees. The progressive workplace solution is designed to enhance employee engagement and work performance through a wide range of space typologies and settings.

Jacobs re-stated its confidence and commitment in the U.K. and its development plans. Earlier this year, it announced its intent to acquire John Wood Group's Nuclear business for an enterprise value of £250 million (approximately $300 million), and 50% of U.K.-based social value measurement and wellbeing firm, Simetrica.

About Jacobs
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $13 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 52,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Professor Brian Cox OBE

Professor Brian Cox OBE is an English physicist, and Professor of particle physics at the University of Manchester. A Fellow at the Royal Society and popular television, radio presenter & author, he has received awards for his work in publicising science. Professor Cox continues to inspire audiences in the UK and around the globe.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2019, and in particular the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

For press/media inquiries:

Kerrie Sparks
+1.214.583.8433

Vanessa Mourant
+44 (0)20.8545.0270

Weber Shandwick for Jacobs
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SOURCE Jacobs