The opening expands Equiniti’s footprint in the South West and Wales, with over 200 employees currently based in Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Stroud.

The new centre will be opened in a ceremony today by Sir Hugo Swire, Conservative candidate for East Devon, alongside Equiniti Group’s Chief Executive, Guy Wakeley. They will be joined by Stuart Robb, the CEO of EQ Data (formerly Marketing Source) and the newly-formed EQ Cyber-Security business. Clients, local businesses and the media will be given the chance to experience the latest data and cyber-security technologies.

Equiniti’s investment supports the South West Growth Charter, which calls for greater investment and infrastructure in the region, and will be a platform for future growth. It follows the acquisition of long-standing Exeter business, Marketing Source, in January 2017 and the establishment of a centre of excellence for estate and probate administration, following a contract win with Lloyds Banking Group in November 2016.

The centre is named after Ada Lovelace, who was widely considered to be the first computer programmer, following her work on Charles Babbage’s “Analytical Engine” in the 1830s, for which she is accredited with the first-published computer algorithm. Ada Lovelace Day is celebrated every October, to raise the profile of women in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Sir Hugo Swire, Conservative candidate for East Devon, said: "It was a pleasure to open Equiniti's new centre in Exeter's Pynes Hill Business Park today. Exeter is the fastest growing city in the country and Equiniti is just the sort of company that is finding this an exciting area in which to do business and expand. I hope they have a long and successful relationship with the area and beyond.”

Guy Wakeley, CEO of Equiniti, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Equiniti and for the South West region. It is Equiniti’s ambition to grow its presence in Exeter, serving some of the UK’s largest financial services organisations from this regional hub and attracting tech talent to continue our development of ground-breaking technology. The centre will provide jobs and investment for the future with facilities for training, mentoring and development, including for graduates of universities in Devon.”