Firms push ahead with office upgrades and new locations

Firms in the top 100 have continued to upgrade or expand their operations with a string of office openings announced.

Clarke Willmott has moved 26 staff to new premises in Callaghan Square, Cardiff, occupying the second floor of a building in the city’s main business district.

The new space, which comes to more than 3,000 sq ft, is designed as an open plan office to accommodate hybrid working. It has a business lounge, 25 sit/stand desks, a privacy booth and range of meeting and conference rooms.

Vicky Kells, head of the Cardiff office, said: ‘The move comes just before our 10-year anniversary and we couldn’t be happier to be here in Cardiff, in a new city-centre office and celebrating the successes of the last decade.’

The firm is committed to reaching net zero by 2040 and is redesigning its whole office portfolio with sustainability in mind.

So far, this has included opening a new purpose-built office in Birmingham, refurbishing the Taunton office and relocating in Bristol and Cardiff. Office upgrades are planned for London, Manchester and Southampton.

Meanwhile, south east firm Birketts has announced it will open a full-scale office Bristol later this year, in line with plans to grow the business in the south west region.

The firm, which has operated a ‘hub’ in Bristol since 2010, will be based in EQ; an office development located a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads train station. EQ is the first new build office in Bristol which has committed to deliver net zero carbon in operation.

The five partners leading the firm’s Bristol practice are: Tom Berisford (banking and finance); Deborah Carrivick (international private client), Stuart Cleak (real estate renewables), Dan Crockford and Alex Penberthy (shipping and international trade).

Jonathan Agar, chief executive at Birketts said: 'The opening of our Bristol office is a key step in Birketts’ growth trajectory and will further expand our network of offices in southern England.

‘The feedback from clients in Bristol has made it crystal clear how much potential there is for the firm to operate competitively from an established office in the city, and we look forward to being able to provide both new and existing clients a more comprehensive legal service from our new location.’

Commercial firm Freeths has completed a refurbishment of its London office after similar upgrades in the past 18 months in Leeds, Bristol and Manchester.

The remodelled interior now looks in line with the firm’s recent brand change, and the overhaul provide a brighter and more vibrant atmosphere.

Philippa Dempster, managing partner of Freeths London, said: ‘It’s been incredible seeing our team in the capital grow in confidence and strength over the last few years as we continue to attract some of the country’s best talent, and we felt that our working premises should reflect that.’

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