Abbey Wood 25 years of supporting Armed Forces (but there are no crocs in the lake...)
The MoD’s Filton HQ at Abbey Wood opened in 1996. Business editor Hannah Baker looks back at the 25 years of one of the region’s largest employers (and crushes a persistent rumour or two)
FROM James Bond-style rocket launchers in the atriums to crocodiles in the lake, there have been many outlandish rumours about the MoD’s Filton HQ in the last quarter of a century.
The reality is, sadly, not as dramatic, but the work that takes place at Abbey Wood, in South Gloucestershire, is undeniably critical to the UK’s security.
Before the Covid pandemic there were 8,500 staff based at the site, which houses the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) procurement organisation.
DE&S works with the biggest defence companies in the world and collaborates with international governments and the military, providing equipment – from boots to fighter jets – including to the front line.
Abbey Wood is responsible for a programme of work worth more than £10bn each year, delivers over 80% of the MoD’s largest and most complex equipment projects, and supports more than 88,000 jobs.
As the site marks its 25th birthday this week, the Post, takes a look back at the history of one of the Bristol region’s largest employers.
The MoD has been based in South Gloucestershire since 1996. A total of 69 sites were initially considered for the HQ – including in Solihull, Sunderland, Keynsham and South Wales – before the MoD settled on Filton.
The 98-acre site was bought in 1991, including the listed Stanley Farm building, and construction work started in September 1993. Abbey Wood took three years to build and cost a total of £254m. It was officially opened by the Queen on July 19, 1996.
The very first plan for the site featured square buildings with courtyards, but a final decision was taken for ‘croissant-shaped’ structures so the number of stairways and lifts could be reduced and landscaping vehicles would have easy access.
A swimming pool was also initially planned on land next to the nursery but was scrapped after the local council declined an offer to share it. However, the site does have a gym, hairdresser, shop, coffee stations and restaurant.
According to the MoD, it was a “colossal” task to build Abbey Wood, with workers having to install 30,000 light fittings, 2,600 doors and 13 buildings.
To avoid becoming a “faceless base”, the MoD told BusinessLive it decided to install a lake as protection rather than a high fence.
The lake is filled with 30 million litres of water and acts as flood defence and a haven for local wildlife including cormorants, newts and kingfishers.
Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin – then deputy chief of defence procurement – decided on the name Abbey Wood and there were 5,000 trees planted on the site.
Much of the intrigue surrounding the site has centred around the buildings’ futuristic design – a concept developed by local architect John Rudge who said he was determined the project “complemented rather than alienated” the surrounding community.
Mr Rudge said: “As an architect it was phenomenally exciting. Back then it was the largest project that was available for design and construction in the whole of the UK.
“For us, the key factors were very simple. We wanted to build something visually stunning, with ground-breaking energy and environmental performance that met stringent energy and carbon dioxide targets.
“The look of the site was a major factor in making it feel like part of the local community. That is why we battled so fiercely against there being a fence around the lake, which we believed was a good enough defence – and we won the argument.”
Pete Ginnever was responsible for facilitating the move for staff, who were being transferred from sites including Portsmouth, Weymouth, Bath and London.
Mr Ginnever, who still works at Abbey Wood, said: “It’s fair to say people were reluctant to move. You can understand there was an awful lot of uncertainty. Thankfully people responded to the working environment very well.”
DE&S chief executive Sir Simon Bollom says Abbey Wood is still one of the “very best” places to work in the region.
“I’m incredibly proud of the diverse workforce at MoD Abbey Wood who are committed to supporting our Armed Forces,” he said.
“It’s a very exciting time in defence and we are enjoying the challenge of working with industry to innovate and deliver cuttingedge equipment at pace to stay one step ahead of our adversaries, while also delivering best value to the taxpayer.”
Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke added: “The hard work undertaken at MoD Abbey Wood over the past 25 years was, and continues to be, crucial to the success and reputation of our Armed Forces. I look forward to it remaining an asset to our community for many years to come.”
Minister for defence procurement Jeremy Quin said: “Congratulations to all at MoD Abbey Wood for everything they have achieved over the last quarter of a century.
“With significant investment in defence and the need to constantly update to meet the threat, we look forward to the next 25 years of the employees on the site supporting our servicemen and women across the globe.”