Professional services firm Deloitte has announced its plans to employ 1,000 people in Belfast by the year 2020.

In 2014, the company had outlined its aim to increase its workforce by 700 jobs over five years, as part of a £30m investment. Its expansion is now ahead of schedule.

The majority of the roles will be in the area of technology, with the employment boost set to make Belfast the business' largest UK outside of London.

Further growth in data science, analytics, cyber security and digital engineering is potentially in the pipeline.

Nick Owen, chairman of Deloitte in the UK, said:

"This commitment by Deloitte reflects the confidence we have in Belfast as a great place to do business and a hotbed of talent, particularly for graduates and school leavers.

"It also demonstrates our continued commitment to social mobility as a core part of our talent strategy and our desire to continue to further deliver on this commitment in Northern Ireland".

The news came following a meeting with First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness today.

Ms Foster said: "Deloitte’s decision to increase its workforce to 1,000 by 2020 is a strong endorsement of Northern Ireland’s dynamic economy.

"Deloitte is making this commitment based on the talent  and quality of staff in Belfast and it is a clear indicator of the confidence that the firm has in Northern Ireland as a business friendly economy that will continue to grow and attract investment".

Mr McGuinness said:

"Deloitte is already a significant employer in the north of Ireland and I welcome this further commitment to create even more high quality jobs.

"This announcement today demonstrates the Deloitte determination to invest in our economy and the scale of their ambition.

"Investment by companies like Deloitte signals to other potential investors we continue to offer an attractive ‘pro-business’ environment".