Pharma company relocates UK HQ to historic mill building

Thornton & Ross has signed a 10-year lease to establish a new UK headquarters within the Globe Mill, a historic building dating back to 1887 located in Slaithwaite.

Part of global healthcare company STADA, the business is moving approximately 150 commercial staff across core business hubs and functions, from its current location in Linthwaite to the new office in Slaithwaite, where the company will occupy the full third floor.

Founded in Huddersfield in 1922, Thornton & Ross makes well-known brands such as Covonia, Savlon, Hedrin and Zoflora and is moving to the new premises to help support future business growth.

Designed by Eden Interior Solutions Limited, a specialist office interior design and build company, the office space will keep all the original features and be developed to support a more flexible environment.

Alongside hot-desking and agile working spaces, the design will help encourage flexibility, creativity and collaboration when employees are in the office, while state of the art IT and AV systems will support hybrid working and keep the Slaithwaite and Linthwaite sites well connected.

The office will also have a library space, dedicated break out areas and a wellbeing room.

Thornton & Ross says it has worked with Eden to use local suppliers for the fit out including hiring local building contractors and ordering furniture from businesses in the Huddersfield area.

Its new office space is expected to be ready in November with all commercial teams moving into the space in the New Year.

Roger Scarlett- Smith, executive vice president, STADA UK and North America, said: “The new office has been a real passion project for me and I’m looking forward to seeing our vision come to life.

“The Globe is an iconic building and we knew it was the right place to create the inspiring and collaborative work space for employees that we wanted.

“We’ll now be in the heart of the Colne Valley and as a business we’re looking forward to being integrated even more into the local community and supporting the businesses in the area.

“The business is going from strength to strength as part of the STADA group, and as we restructured we felt strongly that it was key that we recognised our roots and stayed in the area.”

Globe Innovation Centre Ltd is a partnership between Hartley Property Trust Ltd, 3M, The University of Huddersfield and Kirklees Council.

It has invested more than £5m to transform The Globe in Slaithwaite to deliver 80,000 sq ft of innovation space with laboratory facilities, offices, medical suites, retail facilities and an artisan hall.

Chris Smith, a spokesman for Hartley, said: “We’re delighted to agree this significant deal with Thornton & Ross as a new occupier which fits perfectly with our vision to transform The Globe into a new space for innovation and local employment.

“The Globe is instrumental in driving the powerhouse of the North and is ideally located in the heart of Leeds City Region where innovators are supported and have access to the very best talent, universities and businesses to collaborate with.”