Deloitte’s Manchester practice confirmed today that it has signed a deal with WeWork to occupy 35,000 sq ft of office space in Manchester city centre.
With Deloitte due to exit its existing office at Hardman Street, the deal will provide a flexible solution for the Manchester practice’s 800 people. Deloitte plans to begin occupancy in early 2021, subject to Government national restriction guidelines.
The transaction follows continued investment this year in Manchester, including the expansion of the firm’s consulting capabilities in the region with a headcount growth of 60 in 12 months and a new cyber team of 16. This is in addition to the firm’s investment over the year in its people, with the promotion of six new partners and 10 directors across all services lines.
Further growth includes a new cohort of over 80 graduates and Brightstart apprentices joining the firm over the next three months as well as an overall plan to increase the office headcount by 25% in the next three years.
Andy Westbrook, practice senior partner for Deloitte North West, commented on the move: “Manchester has always been and will remain a very important strategic location for Deloitte. We are immensely proud of the work that we do across the city and the wider region, particularly in supporting Build Back Better, as well as the relationships we have developed. We have invested significantly in our North West business in order to successfully develop our client offerings. This will continue at pace for the foreseeable future, in part driven by the investment we have made in our people across all levels. We have a clear real estate strategy in place, and the move to the Hanover Building is the first step on that journey. The space provides an exciting and inspiring place in which our people can work. It will best support the needs of our people and our clients as we grow our business in the region.’’
Deloitte will occupy two floors in WeWork Hanover Building in Corporation Street near Victoria Station. Dating back to 1905, the historic Edwardian building has recently undergone a major refurbishment. The Hanover Building is already occupied by a large tech business and forms part of Manchester’s NOMA regeneration area.
Mathieu Proust, General Manager UK & Ireland at WeWork, said: “We are delighted to partner with Deloitte and look forward to welcoming them into our Manchester community at WeWork The Hanover Building, a beautiful space designed with collaboration and productivity in mind. The seismic shifts we are seeing in the way the world works are redefining the role of the office, and this is a great example of a business recognising the right workspace as a critical resource that enables connection, innovation and company culture to thrive.”
Colliers International advised on the deal.
