Sponge UK expands European presence with new Dublin office

Leading digital learning company, Sponge UK, has announced its expansion into Ireland, with the opening of its first office outside the UK, in Dublin, in January 2018.

The new office in Dublin is part of Sponge UK’s growing presence across the UK and Europe, closely following the opening of its third office, in Nottingham, in December 2017.

The new local team, headed up by Michael Quann, will include Sponge UK’s microlearning division, leading on personalised and adaptive learning technology solutions for workplace learning. Sponge UK is expecting to grow and generate new jobs throughout 2018 and beyond, including its microlearning division.

Louise Pasterfield, Managing Director at Sponge UK said: “Opening in Dublin is an important step for us as we expand our footprint in Europe as well as bringing us closer to clients in Ireland. We found there was a high demand from clients for us to have a permanent base outside the UK, with many wanting greater business security ahead of Brexit.

“In addition, Ireland’s growing reputation as a technology innovation hub fits well with our global strategy. Dublin is a vibrant city and we are optimistic about our future growth here. We’re particularly excited about developing our microlearning offering out of Dublin. We’ve seen, with the global brands we’re working with, how microlearning is transforming the way we do workplace learning, with huge impact on business performance.

“We are very fortunate to have Michael leading this at our office in Dublin.”
Sponge is an award-winning company that creates innovative workplace learning solutions for global organisations. Clients include Coca-Cola, Toyota, adidas, Tesco, GlaxoSmithKline, the NHS and the United Nations.      
It specialised in creating custom-built digital training programmes using new technologies to help organisations build knowledge, skills and boost performance.
The Sponge Dublin office will be based at Synergy Global in Lake Drive on the Citywest Business Campus.

Sponge is headquartered in Plymouth (UK) and has offices at Moorgate, London and Nottingham.

American-born Louise Pasterfield established Sponge UK in 2004 and came up with the name to reflect that when learning is successful, people absorb it like a sponge.

In 2017, the company’s turnover grew by 50%, helping to create 40 additional jobs. The business has now grown to over 100 employees.

In 2016, Sponge was named in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For.  

The company has won multiple industry awards for its learning solutions, the most recent coming in November 2017 at the Learning Technologies Awards, Europe’s biggest learning technology award programme. Sponge received accolades for an innovative digital learning programme developed for insurance brand AXA and Sponge’s Jason Butler was named Learning Developer of the Year.

“Last year was an extraordinary year for us,” said Louise, “and the launch of our new office in Dublin is a great way to start 2018. With many organisations looking to modernise their training to utilise what new technologies offer, I believe that 2018 is going to be another extremely busy year.”