PwC opens largest UK regional office in Birmingham as it continues to invest in its regional presence

PwC has opened its largest UK office outside of London as it moves into its landmark new Birmingham home, One Chamberlain Square. The firm’s Birmingham team has moved across the city to its new home in Birmingham’s largest development project Paradise. PwC will occupy the whole of the commercial space in the seven storey, 172,000sq ft office building. 

PwC’s move to One Chamberlain Square supports the firm’s continued growth in the Midlands. The PwC Birmingham team has now surpassed 2,000 colleagues as it grows towards its planned target of 2,300 by the end of 2020. 

This growth comes as part of a major push across the UK, as PwC now employs more than 10,000 staff outside London and is planning to invest £140 million in FY19/20 in people, quality, training, technology and upskilling

A diverse steering group, from new joiners to senior partners, has worked together for the past three years, canvassing the opinions and requirements of all staff. By working together with a design team a space has been created that is fit for the future of work and will provide first-class space and facilities for clients, colleagues and community interests which PwC works closely with. The workspace design gives staff and clients a choice of flexible and tech-enabled settings for now and in the future.

Kevin Ellis, Chairman and Senior Partner, PwC UK said: 

“This is PwC’s largest property investment outside London to date.  We are committed to working with government and the public and private sectors to play our part in building a vibrant and sustainable economy across the UK. By 2021 we plan to have added 1,000 new roles in Birmingham, and we’re moving quickly to reach this target with 700 of these new jobs already created. This new office complements our other investments across the UK, including Bristol, Reading, Leeds, Bradford Manchester, Edinburgh, and we’ll be opening a new Belfast office in late 2020 in response to our growth in Northern Ireland. We have been investing and developing our workforce across the UK, by creating inclusive employment and training opportunities for people from all backgrounds.”

Matthew Hammond, Midlands Region Chairman and Senior Partner for PwC in Birmingham, said:

“It is with immense pride on behalf of all those involved in PwC’s investment in One Chamberlain Square that we move into our new home in the very heart of Birmingham and the UK.

“The culmination of many years’ hard work by our colleagues and the development partners have made the visionary scheme for Paradise, and in particular One Chamberlain Square, a reality. 

“Consistent with our desire to take the heritage and culture of Birmingham and the Midlands as the inspiration for One Chamberlain Square, our team have used the motto ‘Everything is Possible’ in our endeavours to create an unrivalled environment for clients, colleagues and visitors.  

PwC will also be the anchor tenant of the Paradise scheme with One Chamberlain Square being the first building to be occupied ahead of the completion of Two Chamberlain Square later in 2020. 

Rob Groves, regional director at Argent, said: 

“Welcoming PwC to One Chamberlain Square is the culmination of years’ of work and planning. There is a very strong synergy between PwC and the quality of what we are creating and we are immensely proud that PwC has chosen to make its largest regional investment here at Paradise. 

“This is a truly transformational year for the development, with Two Chamberlain Square completing and work underway on the delivery of One Centenary Way. We are delighted that PwC will be with us throughout the remainder of our journey to deliver Birmingham’s premier business address.”