Handelsbanken doubles size of Manchester Airport base

HANDELSBANKEN plans to expand its presence in region  – starting by doubling the size of its head office at Manchester Airport.

The Swedish bank has had a base in the 4M office building at the airport since 2008 and employs 60 staff there.

It has leased an additional 6,739 sq ft of office space in the building, taking the total to 14,318 sq ft, and it expects staff numbers to also double as a result.

According to the bank, Britain is the fastest growing of its home markets, with 132 branches nationwide, including 16 in the North West.

Handelsbanken has three head offices in the UK – Manchester, Birmingham and London, all of which support its regional branch networks.

The bank will use the expanded Manchester base to provide support services to its growing branch network.

Tracey Davidson, regional head of Handelsbanken, based in Manchester, said: “Our customers are looked after entirely by the branch in their local community. And since head offices exist only to support our branches; Manchester Airport is a great choice for Handelsbanken.

“The location is logistically convenient with transport links throughout the country and across the world, and is popular with staff due to the amenities and facilities available on site.”

Stephanie Mullenger, property director for MAG, said: “The deal demonstrates our aims with our Airport City proposition. The surface access to the site for staff, in addition to flights, ensures that even before Airport City is developed out, Manchester Airport is already one of the most competitive business locations in the North of the UK.

“This will be further heightened once the new Metrolink line is completed in the next few years.”