Version 1 to Invest £40M in UK AI Hubs
Portfolio | Mar 07, 2025 | Business Cloud

Irish firm Version 1 has announced a significant investment of £40 million to develop artificial intelligence hubs in six UK cities, namely London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast. This initiative is expected to generate approximately 1,000 jobs related to AI. Echoing its commitment to both local and global client service, Version 1 aims to elevate its AI and digital transformation capabilities. The announcement coincides with the annual UK-Ireland summit, with endorsement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin. The investment aligns with several UK government initiatives such as the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which seeks to enhance productivity and bolster economic value. The significance of this investment is underscored by British and Irish leaders, illustrating the mutual economic benefits expected from cross-border corporate alignments.
Sectors
- Information Technology
- Artificial Intelligence
Geography
- United Kingdom – The investment of £40m is focused on AI hubs in six UK cities, making the geography highly relevant.
- Ireland – Version 1 is an Irish company, indicating the significance of Ireland in this cross-border investment initiative.
Industry
- Information Technology – Version 1 is an IT service provider focusing on AI and digital transformation, which falls under the Information Technology sector.
- Artificial Intelligence – The investment into AI hubs and the creation of AI-related jobs places this firmly within the Artificial Intelligence industry.
Financials
- £40 million – The amount Version 1 is investing into AI hubs in the UK.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Version 1 | Investor | Company | An Irish company specializing in AI and digital transformation, investing £40 million into AI hubs in the UK. |
Keir Starmer | Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | Person | Welcomed the investment at the UK-Ireland summit. |
Michael Martin | Taoiseach of Ireland | Person | Also welcomed the investment at the UK-Ireland summit. |
Brad Mallard | CTO of Version 1 | Person | Discussed Version 1's commitment to investing in skills and talent. |
Paul Johnston | Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland | Person | Commented on the investment as important for growth. |