Canadian technology consulting firm Tactable is establishing a new delivery hub in Belfast, creating 16 high-quality engineering jobs over the next two years, the Department for the Economy has announced.
The Toronto-based boutique engineering firm builds data and AI platforms for financial services and capital markets. It selected Northern Ireland over competing locations in Europe, Ireland and Britain for its first permanent presence outside Canada.
Global Operations from Belfast
Tactable, founded in 2018, currently employs 95 people worldwide. The company specialises in cloud modernisation, data platforms, and artificial intelligence solutions for enterprise clients, particularly in regulated industries such as capital markets and financial services.
The new Belfast hub will recruit intermediate engineers, senior engineers, and delivery managers to support the company’s international client base across North America and Europe. Recruitment is already underway, with roles being filled over a two-year period.
Minister Backs ‘High-Quality’ Jobs
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement during a meeting with company representatives at Invest NI headquarters. She said:
“Tactable’s decision to establish a new delivery hub with 16 high-quality jobs will further strengthen our growing technology and financial services sector. International companies continue to invest here because of our people, strong academic links and supportive business environment. I am pleased to welcome Tactable as it grows its presence here.”
Belfast Beats European Rivals
Northern Ireland was chosen following a year-long engagement with Invest NI’s Canadian team, who connected Tactable with local academic partners including Queen’s University Belfast and the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), as well as local professional services firms.
Gordon Tam, COO and Co-founder of Tactable, explained the rationale behind selecting Belfast over other European locations:
“We considered a number of locations, but through our engagement with Invest NI, Northern Ireland stood out as the right place to establish a permanent delivery hub. Belfast offers the combination of engineering talent, enterprise technology experience and long-term stability that aligns with Tactable’s growth strategy. It provides an ideal base to expand our delivery capacity and support long-term enterprise client engagements across North America and Europe.”
Tam also emphasised the strategic significance of the move:
“This investment marks a significant milestone for Tactable as we establish our first permanent presence outside Canada. Our growth has been built on helping enterprise clients solve complex data, cloud and AI challenges with highly capable engineering teams. Belfast offers the depth of talent, stability and technology ecosystem we need to scale that model internationally. We are excited to build a strong team in Northern Ireland and are actively recruiting as we expand our capability to support clients across global markets.”
Invest NI Facilitation
The investment follows Invest NI’s trade mission to Toronto in September 2024, which sought to strengthen commercial ties between Northern Ireland and Canada. Alan Wilson, Head of International Investment at Invest NI, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the announcement:
“Our team in Canada has worked closely with Tactable over the past year showcasing the strengths of Northern Ireland as a location for high-value technology investment. During our engagement, we connected the company with key partners including Queen’s University, the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre and local professional services to facilitate Tactable’s establishment and growth. We are delighted to see this support translate into this new delivery hub with high-quality jobs for the local economy.”
Transparency Gaps
While the announcement signals confidence in Northern Ireland’s technology sector, several material details remain undisclosed. The Department for the Economy did not specify:
- The capital investment value or financial incentives supporting Tactable’s establishment
- Salary ranges, pay scales, or total payroll value for the 16 positions
- Whether the roles will follow hybrid, remote, or office-based working patterns
- Specific performance metrics or guarantees ensuring all 16 jobs materialise within the two-year timeframe
- Which competing cities were evaluated and the specific criteria that led Belfast to outperform Dublin, London, or other European tech hubs
Market Context
The arrival of Tactable adds to Northern Ireland’s growing cluster of financial technology specialists, joining homegrown firms such as Kainos, STAT Sports, and FD Technologies that operate in international markets. The region’s technology sector has become one of the fastest growing in the UK, with particular strengths in cyber security, data analytics, and capital markets technology.
This investment comes as foreign direct investment in neighbouring Ireland reached record levels in 2025, increasing by 38% according to international trade reports. Northern Ireland’s ability to attract specialised engineering firms suggests it is successfully competing for high-value tech investment, though the relatively modest headcount of 16 jobs raises questions about the scale of commitment compared to larger foreign direct investment announcements.
Outstanding Questions
- How will Tactable’s entry into the Belfast labour market affect recruitment costs and talent availability for existing local technology employers, given the current shortage of intermediate and senior engineering skills?
- Will Tactable leverage the AICC’s £16.3 million research infrastructure and 390 postgraduate scholarships to build its team, or will it compete independently for talent in an already tight market?
- What mechanisms exist to ensure the promised 16 jobs are created within the two-year window, and how will the Department for the Economy measure the success of this investment beyond simple job numbers?
- Given Tactable’s focus on capital markets AI and regulatory technology, will this create spillover benefits for Northern Ireland’s domestic financial services sector, or will the work remain siloed serving North American clients?
- How does this boutique consulting model fit into the Department’s broader Foreign Direct Investment strategy, which has recently focused on larger-scale operations such as Anaqua’s Belfast engineering hub?
The establishment of Tactable’s delivery hub represents a vote of confidence in Northern Ireland’s technology ecosystem, particularly its ability to support complex, regulated financial services technology. Observers will monitor whether the 16 promised jobs represent the foundation for a larger expansion, or if the operation remains a small satellite office serving international clients with limited integration into the local innovation economy.