KPMG takes occupation of One Sovereign Square 

KPMG today (Monday 2 November) opens the doors to its new office, One Sovereign Square, in Leeds city centre.

The 61,000 sq ft, eye-catching building has been developed exclusively for KPMG, which employs approximately 800 people in the city. The firm moves in to the building, almost five years after formally expressing an interest in the site in December 2010.

Commenting on KPMG’s new home, Chris Hearld, North Region Chairman, of the professional services business, said:

“We are delighted with One Sovereign Square which more than delivers on the ambitions we’ve held for our new Yorkshire office from the outset. As well as providing us with an unrivalled, modern, flexible working environment, designed to foster collaboration and innovation, this building shows some real flair.”

A feature wall in the spacious reception reflects Yorkshire’s landscapes, heritage and current iconic structures, including images photographed by KPMG employees.

Meanwhile, a juke box in the cafe (the only Hej cafe outside of London) is a tribute to the history of the site as the location of the former Queens Hall concert venue.

The building and interior design targets environmental responsibility in a number of ways, featuring sustainable timber, carpets and soft furnishings, as well as cycle parking bays and a green roof.

Hearld adds:

“We are keenly looking forward to welcoming clients and contacts to our new home over the coming weeks. I have no doubt that this state-of-the-art space will help us to attract the very best talent and to provide an inspiring working environment that will play a part in enabling all of us to deliver excellence to the organisations and individuals with whom we work.”

As well as providing a base for KPMG’s staff working across Yorkshire and beyond, One Sovereign Square also incorporates the firm’s Northern training facility, where learning and development will be delivered to employees from the firm’s five offices in the North.

David Wells, regional director for the developer, Muse Developments, said:

“It’s an important milestone both for One Sovereign Square and the regeneration of Sovereign Street that KPMG have now taken occupation of their new landmark office.

“We’ve worked closely with KPMG throughout the development process to ensure the building offers them an efficient, flexible and sustainable base to suit their business and employees’ needs.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, concluded:

“The Leeds commercial sector is going from strength to strength and the opening of KPMG’s new office further reinforces the growth in Leeds as a major location for professional services in the UK.  With the green space due to complete later this year and with further developments on stream, including the southern entrance to the station, Sovereign Square will become an attractive new addition to Leeds core business district.”

Source: KPMG 

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