Phoenix Software and HOST support diverse tech talent in the North

From left to right: Steven Fry, Assistant Director Customer and Digital Services at Salford City Council and CTO at HOST; Matthew Wall, Technology and Architectural Lead at Salford City Council and HOST; Sam Mudd, Managing Director at Phoenix; Becky Wilson, Microsoft Licensing Lead at Phoenix; and Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group.

Software company Phoenix continues its dedication to diversity and inclusion in the North West of England as it drives opportunities for its northern customers and the region’s diverse range of talent through a partnership with HOST, the Home of Skills and Technology.

Phoenix has always served customers in the North West of England over its three decades of trading as an IT reseller. But as the company focuses on new ways to continue its commitment to diversity and inclusion – not only within its business, but also within the communities in which it serves – and ensure it attracts diverse talent, the Microsoft UK Partner of the Year 2021 aims to drive regeneration in the north and nurture the future of the industry by partnering with HOST, one of the North West’s most established innovation hubs.

Samantha Mudd, managing director at Phoenix comments on the partnership, “We are proud to be a northern headquartered business and our partnership with HOST provides us with access to a diverse, inclusive, and innovative community at the heart of MediaCity.

“As a fast-growing business, we understand what is needed for business growth and the challenges that come with that. We realise that to truly create a diverse and inclusive tech industry; we must ensure that we actively seek out diverse talent by connecting with communities that may not have considered a career in tech and showcasing the opportunities available to them. Being a part of an entrepreneurial culture that serves its community with integrity and passion, and supports skills and growth is vital to this.”

Phoenix already works closely with Salford City Council and its other customers within the Greater Manchester region, and its partnership with HOST will only strengthen this. With the means to facilitate networking and drive opportunity – both in career development and progression – Phoenix strives to support nearby Salford University and the region’s wider talent pool by offering career guidance and opportunities for graduates, young people, and those with foundation skills in IT and tech in a bid to bolster the northern economy.

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, operator of HOST, comments, “We are thrilled to welcome Phoenix – a major Microsoft partner and leading technology business – to our innovation community at HOST, where they will have exclusive access to our networks, growth programmes, and Skills City bootcamps.

“This collaboration will further support our unique ecosystem, enabling us to nurture new innovation, support entrepreneurs and start-ups to scale, and provide local talent with fair access to digital skills training, creating the most highly skilled and diverse talent pipeline in the UK.”

Samantha Mudd concludes, “The north is a hub of activity and creativity with Salford and its community at the forefront. We fully expect this journey to be about people and innovation and we can’t wait to be involved.”

For more information about Phoenix, please visit: www.phoenixs.co.uk

For more information about HOST, please visit: www.hostsalford.com