Accountants to move 300 staff to Central Square

ACCOUNTANCY firm RSM is moving into Central Square, bringing its 300 Leeds staff into one location.

They will be making the move in 2017, becoming neighbours of anchor tenants PwC.

300 RSM staff will relocate from two offices in Leeds at Whitehall Quay and Wellington Street.

They have agreed to lease the entire fifth floor consisting of 25,000 sq ft of Grade A offices to accommodate their expanding team.

Related: PwC to become anchor tenant of Leeds landmark development…

RSM, formerly known as Baker Tilly before a rebrand in October 2015, has recently added to its 25-strong Leeds partner team.

Pelle Langli joins from EC Partners, audit partner Mike Thornton from AIM-listed Surgical Innovations and restructuring partners Gareth Harris and Keith Marshall from KPMG and Duff & Phelps.

These add to the five internal partner appointments over the last 12 months.

Kevin O’Connor, RSM’s regional managing partner for Yorkshire and the North East said: “This is a key milestone for RSM as it marks the next stage of strategic growth for us in the City.

“Yorkshire is a really important market for RSM and this investment shows our commitment to the region. The move reinforces our position as a leading accountancy firm in the City of Leeds and supports our growing team as we continue to invest in talent to enhance key practice areas, sector specialisms and service to clients across the region.”

Richard Bland from Asset Management Company Marrico said: ‘The very fact that we have now let 75,000 sq ft prior to completion of the scheme fully justifies the decision to start the scheme speculatively. We very much welcome RSM to the best building in Leeds.”

Richard Thornton from commercial real estate agency JLL said: “RSM’s decision to relocate to Central Square is a ringing endorsement of the quality of the scheme, and the 25,000 sq ft floor plates offering highly efficient and flexible accommodation.”

PwC are undertaking a £5m fit-out of their offices on the seventh and eighth floors, which will house 800 staff.