The UK’s knowledge regulator has introduced plans to relocate its nationwide headquarters to Manchester in what town has described as a landmark transfer.
The Info Commissioner’s Workplace (ICO) has agreed a lease for a 20,000 sq ft facility at No.3 Circle Sq. in Manchester’s metropolis centre.
The location is owned by Bruntwood SciTech, a outstanding property developer targeted on the science and know-how sectors backed by Bruntwood, L&G and Larger Manchester Pension Fund.
The Manchester facility will place the ICO alongside fellow tenants Roku, BlueSkeye AI, Avalere Well being and HP Enterprise.
The company, chargeable for regulating knowledge safety and digital privateness, has stated the transfer will give it entry to a pool of highly-skilled tech staff and helps its ambition to determine a broader, extra various workforce.
“Our relocation to Circle Sq. will create a working setting that higher helps how we function now and into the long run,” stated Jen Inexperienced, government director of technique and assets on the ICO.
“Shifting to Manchester places us near universities and different organisations working in knowledge and digital, and also will assist our efforts to draw new and various expertise and strengthen the best way we have interaction with the broader sector.”
The transfer, anticipated to happen in autumn 2026, will see the watchdog go away its previous headquarters in Wilmslow, Cheshire, the place it has been primarily based since its basis in 1984.
“This transfer underlines Manchester’s momentum and the way Circle Sq., which has not too long ago additionally attracted Puma’s nationwide headquarters, is contributing to it,” added Bev Craig, chief of Manchester Metropolis Council.
“It’s additional proof of how enticing our metropolis – with an enormous expertise pool, entry to experience together with from our world class universities, and nationwide and international connections – is proving to employers contemplating the very best place to be.”
Learn extra: New £60m life science facility coming to Manchester Science Park
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