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Leading accountancy firm unveils ambition with flagship office deal

10 Temple Back

Accountancy and advisory business Bishop Fleming have announced plans to move its Bristol office to a new flagship office in the city in 2020.

Currently based in Queen Square, it is taking 13,000 square feet, comprising the whole top floor and roof terrace of 10 Templeback. Situated near Temple Meads Station, the waterfront office will be at the heart of many new commercial developments in the Temple Back business area of the city.

Commenting on the deal, Andrew Sandiford, Bishop Fleming’s Managing Partner said: “Moving to 10 Temple Back is yet another stride forward in our ambitious growth plans for our business and particularly this region. It will provide a cutting-edge working environment to attract and retain the highest calibre of people and to ensure the best delivery of professional services and experience for our clients.”

With space to double its current headcount, the new office will be designed with flexible and agile-working in mind, enabling the business to service the region with the full expertise of its 370-strong workforce.

Advising on the deal were Savills and Meade King LLP for Bishop Fleming and Cushman & Wakefield and DLA Piper for the landlord St. James’s Place plc. Chris Meredith of agent Savills said:

“Bristol is a highly competitive market and commercial property options of this size and quality are scarce. We are delighted to have facilitated these new premises for Bishop Fleming, which will provide a fantastic workspace, creating a hub for people from other offices to work from as well as providing ample space to grow”.

The announcement follows a remarkable centenary year for the business, which was founded in Devon in 1919. Since its inception, Bishop Fleming have grown into a nationally-focussed regional heavyweight, with international reach as a member of Kreston International. In December, the firm was crowned Business of The Year at the prestigious British Chamber of Commerce national awards.

Using its centenary to deliver transformational change, the business rebranded earlier in the year and has engaged its clients and its people to raise £150,000 for good causes. The Grade A office, which has an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating and many other green credentials, will support Bishop Fleming’s own sustainable business strategy, which saw it accredited as a plastic free champion this year.

10 Templeback will become the largest office in Bishop Fleming’s seven-office footprint and the second move in just 12 months, having recently moved its Torquay office to a similar innovative office space. That office, which also combines an open-plan space, agile working and innovative technology, was shortlisted for Best Corporate Workspace Award at the Space Awards 2019.

The firm has been ranked as a Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For employer for the last four consecutive years and has ambitious recruitment plans to build on its 10% headcount growth this year.

Andrew Sandiford added: “We have used our centenary year to launch our new ambition – to be recognised as the most rewarding accountancy firm in the UK for our clients, people and communities. But most importantly, we have used it to position our business for the future. Moving into this fantastic new office in 2020 is the next step in delivering that ambition”.

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