Office reopening signals ‘exciting times’ for city
A US software development firm has re-opened its expanded office in Bath following a “sizable investment”.
Smartbear arrived in the city when it acquired tech business Bugsnag last year, which itself opened the office on the ground floor of Royal Mead on Railway Place a decade ago.
Interior designer Paramount has now completed the transformation of the 7,000 sq ft space, which was officially presented at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the mayor of Bath, councillor Rob Appleyard.
Bugsnag staff are now based in a larger, Smartbear-branded facility, with the refurb coinciding with the expansion of its parent company’s HQ in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Smartbear, which also has locations in Ireland and Australia, said more expansions across its global estate would follow, with bosses at the firm saying the Bath office had set the “gold standard”.
Chief product officer Dan
Faulkner said: “We are proud to continue the investment the Bugsnag team began 10 years ago, bringing everyone together into an expanded space that cultivates exceptional employee experiences and truly reflects our Smartbear brand, values, and culture.
“We look forward to continuing our commitment to ethical corporate practices and social responsibility, promoting good in the vibrant community of Bath.”
Mr Appleyard said the “impressive” new facility proved there was absolutely “no holding back” the city’s business community.
He added: “Smartbear’s office not only offers graduates at our universities brilliant career opportunities, and keeps attracting talented people to Bath, but it also proves our city centre is very much on the up as a vibrant, technologydriven commercial hub.
“Sizeable investment by a dynamic American company in
these new surroundings is a ringing endorsement of Bath’s many merits by business leaders. It shows these are exciting times for Bath.”
Paramount, which also designed financial software firm Altus’ office space in the Bath Quays site, said it had put an emphasis on collaboration in the design, to help promote Smartbear’s plans for growth in Europe.
Sales director Kevin Mashford added: “We are very proud of the way our design team has created a workplace with a deep sense of community that will support Smartbear’s exciting journey and further strengthen Bath’s reputation as an outstanding place to live and work.”