Listed professional services firm confirms HQ’s city centre move
Professional services firm WYG is moving its corporate headquarters to the 3 Sovereign Square development, in Leeds city centre, from its current base in Headingley.
The relocation from its current offices where it has been based for around 40 years, which will involve over 300 people, is planned for summer 2019. WYG’s new offices will span 21,000 sq ft on the 4th and 5th floors of the building, which was developed by Bruntwood and Kier and is owned by Leeds City Council.
The move is part of a wider strategy to grow WYG’s presence in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region. WYG’s multidisciplinary consulting business advises across a wide-range of disciplines covering infrastructure and built environment, programme and project management, surveying and asset management, environment and planning and transport.
Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com, Douglas McCormick, chief executive officer at WYG, said: “Leeds has changed a huge amount in the last five years, with both the volume and quality of space increasing. There will be opportunity to grow the business and with 300 people, Leeds is one of our largest offices.”
McCormick added that the move would also help with attracting and retaining staff, as well as give the business a focus on energy saving with most people then choosing to travel by public transport rather than cars, which is the only real option at their current Headingley base.
“The world is changing and we were looking for a flexible working environment for a modern working culture,” said McCormick. He added that the likes of HMRC and Channel 4 moving to the city added a “new vibe” that could only further improve the region.
He said: “Yorkshire is a very exiting marketplace in lots of ways. There is, of course, a long running conversation about transport links and they need to be dealt with in due course. But Leeds has a great retail, leisure and business offer. We are delighted to be part of that Leeds community.
“Sovereign Square puts WYG at the heart of the Leeds business community. It is the home of WYG’s headquarters and a vitally important market as we target growth across the range of professional services we deliver for clients in Yorkshire.
“We are moving into a modern, flexible office space that offers a more convenient and accessible working environment for our employees and clients. We have chosen a prime location close to the railway station. We know this will optimise benefits for our people and visitors, from making a positive impact on our environmental footprint, to having a great place to work, meet, and do business.”
Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, Councillor Richard Lewis, said: “We are pleased to welcome WYG to 3 Sovereign Square. The council is firmly committed to supporting Leeds-based firms who are looking to expand and grow like this, assisting their development which in turn benefits the local and regional economy. We offer them best wishes in their new premises.”
The offices will provide employees with modern flexible workspaces and top-class meeting facilities to welcome clients, colleagues and partners. The building is Grade A, BREEAM Excellent office space and supports WYG’s sustainability strategy as the team works to minimise the environmental impact of its operations.
Richard Dunn of Sanderson Weatherall acted for WYG. Leeds City Council was represented by Liam Ridley at BNP Paribas Real Estate. Knight Frank is the joint leasing agents at 3 Sovereign Square.
