Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has received £4m in funding from HSBC UK to support its move into Newcastle city centre to take up space in a new landmark office building.
The company, the region’s largest law firm, has been based on the Quayside for more than 20 years, with its 420 staff currently spread over two offices. Later this year, however, the firm is bringing them together under one roof at the new Spark building at Newcastle Helix.
Newcastle Helix represents a partnership between Newcastle City Council, Legal & General and Newcastle University, bringing together industry leaders, businesses, and top researchers to form an internationally renowned innovation cluster.
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WBD has a strong history of supporting Newcastle Helix, having advised Newcastle City Council on its joint venture with Engie to develop low carbon district energy infrastructure projects, including the district green energy scheme at the heart of Newcastle Helix.
The firm is taking 37,500 sqft over four floors at the building, which has been designed with collaborative and hybrid working in mind. Each area in the office is intended for a different purpose, including soundproof booths, open group working areas, quiet working zones, traditional desks and office space as well as audio-visual kits to support hybrid and flexible working.
Nigel Emmerson, partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, said: “We’re committed to growing the firm in Newcastle and are proud to play our part in the regeneration of the North East. The funding from HSBC UK will support us in bringing a more collaborative and modern way of working to the business which will benefit all of our colleagues greatly. We can’t wait to have all our teams in the same building, and we’re excited to see where it takes us!”
Ben Foster, relationship director at HSBC UK, said: “Womble Bond Dickinson is a great example of a business that is really committed to the area in which it operates. We’re thrilled that our support has allowed the company to modernise whilst sticking to its roots in the North-East and look forward to seeing their expansion continue over the coming years”
Womble Bond Dickinson has more than 450 lawyers in the UK, spread across eight offices, as well as almost 20 offices in the US.
The Newcastle office move to the The Spark is expected to take place early this summer.
Meanwhile, at the recently completed Lumen – the second speculative office scheme at the science park – international law firm Clifford Chance has signed a deal to take up a full floor of the Grade A building. The law firm will take a 10-year lease of the third floor extending to 15,000sqft in 2023, following the completion of fit out works.
The company, currently based at Partnership House in Gosforth, joins companies and organisations, including Homes England, North of Tyne Combined Authority, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust and Savills at the eight-floor, 106,000sqft building.
Joint letting agents Avison Young and Cushman & Wakefield said there is strong interest in the remaining space.
Tony Wordsworth, director at Avison Young, said: “High profile companies have been attracted to Newcastle Helix which has set new high standards for office space in Newcastle.”
