Topping out ceremony for new software firm HQ
A TOPPING out ceremony has taken place to celebrate the latest milestone in the creation of a new HQ for a leading software company.
The concrete core and steel frame are now in place on The Access Group’s 100,000 sq.ft. office on the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP), which is due to open in Autumn 2020.
The innovative venture is expected to generate £1.6million per year for frontline Leicestershire County Council services and create more than 500 jobs.
County council leader Nick Rushton said: “I’m pleased that we are able to mark a significant milestone in this project, which also represents a pioneering partnership between the council and Loughborough University.
“Our approach of building new workspaces is creating hundreds of jobs and boosting the economy. Crucially, it means we can invest into services such as maintaining our roads and supporting vulnerable people.”
Professor Tracy Bhamra, pro-vice chancellor (enterprise) at Loughborough University, said: “This prestigious new build at the heart of Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone reinforces LUSEP’s potential to attract major investment and boost employment.
“As one of the UK’s top employers and innovators and a Tech Unicorn – valued at $1 billion – Access’ continued expansion at LUSEP is excellent news. The future for collaboration with the university and LUSEP’s community of over 90 startups to established businesses looks very exciting.”
The Access Group serves more than 20,000 UK companies and employs in excess of 2,000 people, with more than a third of its workforce based in the Midlands.
Jon Jorgensen, chief sales officer at The Access Group, said: “We are extremely pleased to be at the topping out ceremony of our new head office, this is a big milestone in the construction of our head office. We wanted to focus on the right place for our continued expansion and decided that Loughborough was a perfect fit for our business. It’s a fantastic location with easy access to skilled people from the University and the surrounding area, along with excellent infrastructure connections to the whole of the UK.
“Our company’s mantra is - Love Work, Love Life - and we believe that we will continue to grow as an employer of choice for people looking for career/life balance based here in the East Midlands.”
The project is being delivered by Wates Construction through Major Works UK, part of the Scape National Construction framework.
John Carlin, regional managing director at Wates Construction Midlands, commented: “In addition to marking a significant build milestone, this event presented an opportunity to celebrate the truly collaborative approach all parties have taken in helping to bring this landmark project to fruition.
“We have worked closely with the county council and Loughborough University from the outset to not only create an innovative workplace at the heart of the science and enterprise park but to ensure the economic and social benefits of the project are realised by the whole community. We look forward to completion in 2020.”