3Q Marian Popa managing director Endava for Central and Eastern Europe

You have said Romania can transform IT into a dominant sector within 20 years. How?
This is due to the good professional background of graduates, proximity to the major world centers, common culture and IT infrastructure in progress. The government should keep the existing facilities. The universities’ output should be supplemented based on demand from the industry – meaning the number of IT graduates should be increased. More of the big cities around the country should be directly connected to the international airline transportation network, to list just a few suggestions. From the industry’s viewpoint, it would help to create one single association compared to the multitude of IT associations that exist now and which, because they are fragmented, have limited efficiency and status.

What type of projects do you deliver abroad versus in Romania?
Endava delivers from its Romanian centers software solutions and IT services, especially for large corporations in Great Britain and the USA, which include three of the top ten financial institutions in the world, insurance companies, credit card companies, telecom companies and media groups. Locally, the most sought-after solutions are mainly ERP and CRM, and Romanian companies have recently become interested in document management solutions. Our foreign clients require software solutions on demand – from specialized solutions for the financial banking system to online platforms for consumer brands, sports events and online services companies.

What evolution do you forecast for Endava in 2012?
This year, Endava estimates it will double its number of employees in Romania to more than 750 people. Approximately 20 percent of the jobs available in Iasi and Cluj-Napoca are for entry-level candidates, while the rest are split evenly between mid-weight and senior candidates. In Bucharest, most job opportunities will address mid-weight and seniors. Turnover-wise, we plan to keep growing at the same rate as we have over the past two-three years when Endava has posted sustained organic growth. During the financial year July 2010-June 2011, the Endava group reported a consolidated turnover of EUR 34 million, 25 percent up on the previous year.

otilia.haraga@business-review.ro