Expedia Searches For 120 Additional Technology Experts In London

As the travel industry recovery continues, Expedia Group plans to grow its UK operations by hiring applicants for about 120 mostly tech-focused positions at its London headquarters. London is one of the group’s tech centers outside the United States, with over half of the city’s workforce holding tech-related positions. Stephen Lochhead, senior vice president of global talent acquisition at Expedia Group, revealed the announcement and said that Expedia continues its path as a technology-focused platform company driving travel, making access to the top developer talent important.

Since 1996, Expedia Group has operated in the United Kingdom. It relocated to the Derwent Angel Building in Islington in 2011, where it presently occupies 230,000 square feet. The headquarters is a short distance from Old Street Roundabout, the core of London’s technology industry.

“The high proportion of our UK employees with tech roles is largely due to a rich pipeline of talent and the importance of the London location,” said Lochhead, citing the concentration of software development talent as a significant factor in determining the placement of the employment.

“We continue to expand our tech footprint to support our partners across the globe and UK-based developers can bridge multiple time zones and resolve complex issues wherever they might arise,” he stressed.

Returning Skill:

Recently, Expedia Group established its so-called Return Ticket program, which reintroduces caregivers with a two-year or longer gap in their resume to the digital industry and converts them into full-time workers.

“Compared to some of the big tech brands, we’re at a relatively early stage of our journey, which means the door is open for young developers to step in and make a big impact right away,” Lochhead said. “Culture-wise, we have the energy and vibrancy of a start-up within a well-known brand with global scale – it’s a best of both worlds scenario. In addition to tech hiring, we are also increasing our early careers as well as hiring for commercial and functions talent in London.”

Remote vs Office:

Despite a trend toward remote employment, the business continues to see urban centers like London as vital to its operations.

“Expedia has a culture of close collaboration and we’ve found that alongside the undoubted productivity gains of home working, our offices have an important role to play in bringing people together and sustaining this ethos,” Lochhead said. “The hybrid work approach is optimized for both flexibility and personal connection as we work together to crack problems facing the tech and travel industries.”

He stated that travel is one of the world’s most popular industries because it helps to shape people’s identities and create memories. Lochhead acknowledged that competition for talent remains fierce.

“We have a great team in place and our experience is that lots of strong candidates want to work here”, Lochhead concluded.