IBM Success Story: 100 years

in Hauts-de-France

1923. IBM opened its first sales office in Lille. 90 years later, the American giant chose this same city as the location for its first European service center. The beginning of a true success story in Hauts-de-France.

"Think of it as a testimonial from a satisfied investor who's looking to the future," said Béatrice Kosowski about IBM's developments in the Hauts-de-France region over the past 10 years, at Investor Day 3.

Why did IBM choose Hauts-de-France? What does it gain from its presence in the region today? What are the latest developments?

Published on 31.05.2025

Why did IBM choose to
develop in Hauts-de-France?

In 2023, IBM celebrated its 100th anniversary in the Hauts-de-France region.

After opening a sales office in Lille in 1923, the IT giant chose the region once again in 2013 to set up its 1st European service center.

“We talk about the 10th anniversary of IBM’s Customer Innovation Service Center at Euratechnologies, but in reality we’re celebrating 100 years of presence in Lille. In 1923, we opened our first IBM office in Lille to meet the needs of one of the Group’s first 3 customers in France, the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Nord. “

At Investor Day 3, Béatrice Kosowski revealed the 4 major advantages Hauts-de-France has to offer IBM:

Support from public authorities and economic development stakeholders
“The support and guidance we received from the Region, the Lille European Metropolitan Area and the Town Hall were extremely decisive for us”.
The region’s geographical location, which is ideal for reaching one of Europe’s densest consumer areas
The talent pool
“We had a target of 700 and then 1000 employees, which we are proud to have achieved, thus keeping our promise to the Region”.
The local dynamics of digital ecosystem customers

Discover 7 advantages of the Hauts-de-France region for your business

IBM, 100 years of presence in the Hauts-de-France region

After opening a sales office in 1923, IBM decided to invest in a service center in Lille in 2013.

Today, the group has over 800 employees in the region, working at 2 sites in Euratechnologies.

And it inaugurated an Academy for systems administrator training in October 2023.

IBM arrived in France.

1914

Opening of the first regional branch in Lille.

1923

Opening of a second 107,639 sq. ft. accommodation center in Seclin.

2010

Opening of the Customer Innovation Center (CIC) at Euratechnologies.

2013

Security Operations Center (SOC).

2018

600 employees / IBM academy inauguration.

2023

2013: IBM's Client Innovation Center arrived in Lille

This year, the IBM Lille service center is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

In 2013, Lille won the project over 11 other European destinations.

The Lille CIC was the first of its kind in Europe (there are now 47 worldwide).

It serves as a development factory, with the aim of supporting customers in their digital realization and maintenance projects.

2018 : IBM investi dans un SOC, security operation center

Satisfied with its first location in Hauts-de-France, the American giant decided to expand again in the region in 2018.

“First and foremost, I’d like to say that we’re a delighted entrepreneur in Hauts-de-France”. Béatrice Kosowski, Investor Day 2020

It also opened a cybersecurity surveillance center at Euratechnologies.

Its role: to protect infrastructures against digital threats.

Learn more about the SOC.

2023: launch of an academy dedicated to large-scale systems and AI

IBM has a very close relationship with training. The Group has pledged to train 30 million people in digital skills by 2030.

“Our collective responsibility is to develop digital talent. Both in hard skills and soft skills” Béatrice Kosowki, Investor Day 2023

Already heavily involved in the “invest in digital people” initiative in Hauts-de-France, it inaugurated its training center in Lille on October 10, 2023.

“I think it’s unique to IBM that we don’t have the same barriers and selection criteria as the well-known grandes écoles. We have teams from a wide range of sectors. Yes, there is talent in the regions. But you need to give yourself the means to find and train them. “ Olivier Decoq, Director of the Lille Customer Innovation Center

Read what Olivier Decoq, Director of the Customer Innovation Center, has to say about IBM's presence in the Hauts-de-France region.

The IBM Academy offers a 12-month professional training course (3 months of intensive training followed by 9 months in the company) to become a system administrator.

This certified training course is designed for career changers from all backgrounds and with no pre-requisites.

“These students will all have a job at the end of the course, a permanent contract. I know, because we’re training them both in theory and through a 9-month work-study program, in fields where there is currently a shortage of profiles. They are therefore eagerly awaited on the market. ” Béatrice Kosowski, Investor Day 2023

A project developed with the support of the Hauts-de-France Region, Pôle emploi Hauts-de-France and OPCO Atlas.