ENTERPRISE MINISTER FOSTER GIVES INVESTORS IN PEOPLE GOLD AWARD TO OPENWAVE SYSTEMS FOR COMMITMENT IN EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

NORTHERN IRELAND, June 3 -- The Department of the Environment issued the following press release:

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has praised Openwave Systems Inc for its commitment to excellence, particularly in employee development.

The Minister was speaking as she visited Openwave's software engineering centre in Belfast to formally present the company with the prestigious Investors in People Gold Award which was announced last year. The Gold Award is presented to fewer than 1% of all companies across the UK annually.

Openwave, which is headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a software innovator delivering mobile internet and messaging software infrastructure solutions to more than 100 of the largest communications service providers globally. It employs over 100 people in Belfast.

The Minister said: "Openwave has become one of only two companies in Northern Ireland to receive this top Investors In People Award in recognition of its ethos of nurturing talent and delivering skills excellence.

"Since its acquisition of Phone.com in 2000, Openwave has been a key part of the local ICT sector. Recognising that its people are its greatest asset the company has continued to attract new talent and build upon its strong skills base and knowledge infrastructure. Retaining and improving such skills is essential and Openwave has invested much time and effort to ensure that it retains some of the very best people in this growing industry.

"In economically challenging times, resources need to be focused on the areas where their impact will be greatest, and people are a key factor in the competitiveness of every company regardless of size or sector. Continuous training and development empowers companies, helping them to increase productivity, reduce attrition levels and maximise efficiencies."

Paul Bryans, centre manager, Investors in People Northern Ireland added: "Openwave strongly exceeds the requirements of the Investors in People Standard in all aspects with particular strengths in learning, equality, leadership and management, reward and recognition, delegation, learning and evaluation. The performance of Openwave, and its pursuit of excellence during this period of global economic challenge, serve as an example to many other organisations.

"It is most encouraging witnessing companies like Openwave invest in the talent of the burgeoning technology sector in Northern Ireland and we look forward to serving as an advisor to other businesses like Openwave."

Ken Denman, CEO, Openwave: "We are honoured to have been recognised with the prestigious Gold Status from Investors in People Northern Ireland. Openwave is a global software innovator and we are constantly looking for top talent. We view Northern Ireland as a key area in our corporate development strategy and look forward to continuing our investment in the region."For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.