Hard work pays off for leading software firm

Nov 19 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

A FIRM that supplies payroll and HR software and services plans to double in size, creating up to 50 jobs, in the next four years.

Gateshead’s Cintra HR & Payroll Services plans to grow its 53-strong workforce up to around 100 and expects to see its multi-million pound turnover grow exponentially.

Part of the firm’s ambitious growth strategy comes from a new piece of software it has developed that will be market-ready by summer 2010.

The company has combined its separate HR and payroll software systems into one product, which has been warmly received in initial trials, according to the firm.

Earlier this month Cintra beat off national competition to win the Payroll Software Provider of the Year award for the second time in three years.

Cintra’s software is used to pay more than 160,000 people every month and handles more than £1.2bn worth of BACS payments annually.

Chief executive Carsten Staehr said: “In the last eight years we have averaged 18.8% average growth per year.

“We made a four-year plan to double in size. We think our software is the best in the country and our mission is to make sure our customers are happy.”

Cintra picked up its latest industry award at a ceremony at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) in London’s Piccadilly.

Awards judge Kate Upcraft said: “As judges we had to do nothing as your submission and your customers did it for you and you fully deserved it.”

The company was also named as runner up in the Payroll Outsourcing Provider of the Year.