Sky to build new innovation centre in London

UK-based pay TV operator Sky is to build a new dedicated innovation centre on its Osterley campus in West London.

The new space will house technology engineers and software developers focusing on innovation across Sky’s broadcast and streaming platforms, consumer products and new areas such as virtual reality.

The innovation centre will cover about 6,500 square metres in area. According to the pay TV outfit, it will further strengthen Sky’s tech expertise, adding to its existing sites in Leeds and Milan. With three dedicated technology hubs, the group says it will be in a stronger position to extend its leadership in delivering customers a high-quality viewing and user experience.

As part of Sky’s commitment to attracting and developing more women in technology roles and to address the shortage of female talent in the industry, the new centre will become the home of new Get into Tech for Young Women scheme.

Based on the success of Sky’s Get into Tech course, which the company claims has already helped over 100 women train to be coders, the new programme will provide girls of school leaving age the chance to train for free as a coder, with further opportunities at the Sky Software Academy when they have completed the course.

The re-development of Sky’s campus has included the construction of five new buildings designed to promote the free flow of people and ideas, enabling talent to collaborate and deliver the best outcomes for customers.

“Sky customers have always enjoyed cutting edge technology and the best products available – from satellite to streaming Sky has led the way. The launch of this dedicated innovation centre will enable us to push the boundaries even further,” said Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch.

The development of the west London campus reflects Sky’s journey over the past 29 years. Just as we have moved from portacabins to a world-class working environment we have also grown from a satellite business to Europe’s leading direct to consumer media company with content, consumer technology and innovation at its core. We have achieved this by always putting customers at the heart of everything we do and in every decision we make.”