Legal giant Freshfields picks permanent base

INTERNATIONAL law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has chosen the One New Bailey development as the long term base for its new global centre.

Located by Spinningfields, close to the city centre, One New Bailey offers state-of-the-art office premises for the firm’s legal and business services centre. Staff, currently loctaed at Arndale House, will move from early 2017. It has taken a 80,000 sq ft.

Anup Kollenathu, director of the global centre said: “One New Bailey gives us both the high quality and attractive location we want for our staff. We have been extremely impressed by the premises in the Manchester area.

“We have taken 80,000 sq ft and the developer has granted us valuable flexibility to adapt, up or down, the amount of space that we would occupy to reflect the evolving needs of our clients’ and our business. We are grateful to both Manchester and Salford City Councils for their help in setting up our current activities in Manchester and support in moving to the North West.”

Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart added: “It’s exciting news that Freshfields has selected Salford as the long term location for its global services centre. We welcome the creation of new jobs in Salford and the city council is ready to work with the firm to make their staff welcome and to assist with recruitment support.’

English City Fund’s development director Phil Mayall said the deal  was the largest inward investment letting in over a decade.  

“The New Bailey development is ideal for requirements of this type and it is extremely pleasing that Freshfields has chosen the scheme as its new home.”

Knight Frank Manchester advised Freshfields throughout the selection process for their long term Manchester premises.

Freshfields Global Centre (Europe) opened in July. It accommodates legal services staff, as well as elements of HR, IT, marketing and business development, office management, document specialists and change management teams.