US-based data analytics company EXL has officially opened its new international business headquarters in Dublin, marking a major step in the firm’s global expansion. The move comes just two years after the company first established operations in Ireland in 2023.
Rowan McGrath, EXL’s senior vice president of international operations, said the decision was driven by the company’s rapid growth and the strategic advantages Ireland offers. “A lot of our existing business is centred in the US, and we have been growing very rapidly – we just reported our 20th consecutive quarter of growth,” he said.
“Ireland, as a member of the European Union, provides an ideal base for expanding into Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and further into the Asia-Pacific region,” McGrath explained.
The company, which employs around 61,000 people worldwide, works with a range of major global corporations, including Google, Microsoft, AWS, and Nvidia, to help them better utilise and interpret their data.
As part of its Dublin operations, EXL has also launched an Innovation Lab focused on developing industry-specific solutions. Initially, the lab will employ 60 specialists, with plans to increase staff numbers significantly. The firm aims to hire up to 200 engineers and data specialists by 2026.
McGrath said Dublin’s strong technology ecosystem was a major factor in the decision. “All the big players have been here, some for as long as 60 or 70 years. We felt that was a very valuable asset to tap into as we drive our expansion,” he noted.
Ireland’s pool of skilled graduates is expected to support EXL’s recruitment plans. “There are about 20,000 STEM graduates in Ireland each year, and we can also draw from an EU pool of around 1.3 million STEM graduates. We believe there’s sufficient talent to meet our needs,” McGrath said.
The Irish Government and IDA Ireland have welcomed EXL’s decision, citing it as a boost to Ireland’s status as a hub for data-driven industries.
However, McGrath acknowledged that competition for skilled professionals remains fierce. “We compete globally for talent – whether that’s in India, Europe, the US, or the UK. Continued investment in higher education, postgraduate research, and business supports is essential to stay competitive,” he said.
EXL’s new Dublin base is expected to serve as a springboard for the company’s international growth, reinforcing Ireland’s role as a key destination for global technology and data enterprises.
