We’re delighted to confirm we’ll be opening a second office in Leeds city centre in October 2013, creating at least 250 extra jobs over the next three years. The site, located on Marlborough Street, LS1 is currently undergoing a £2m refurbishment to make the building purpose-designed for the Plusnet business. Plusnet will be the single tenant of the entire building; a space of 32,000 square feet over three floors. Read on to find what what Jamie Ford, our CEO, had to say about our latest investment ... Our other site and head office is based in the heart of Sheffield on Pinfold Street, S1 and currently employs approximately 850 people, the anticipation is the workforce will grow to 1,100 by 2016. Jamie Ford, our CEO said:
“By the end of March 2014, we aim to have up to 100 people working from the Leeds site, largely within customer operations. Sheffield will remain our flagship building and our 24/7 operation for the time being. The intention is that both sites will grow over the coming years. “The new building gives us extra resilience as a business and I am happy that this site reaffirms Plusnet’s commitment to Yorkshire.”
There is a need to locate the second site outside of Sheffield, where the current headquarters are based, to ensure business continuity.
Introduction of apprenticeship schemes
In addition to the new jobs we will also be introducing an apprenticeship scheme across both sites. The scheme will begin in November in Sheffield and towards the start of 2014 in Leeds with six places available focusing on customer service. This will run alongside a current graduate programme and an in-house fast track scheme called, Plusnet’s Got Talent. Jamie commented:
“Plusnet is committed to finding new talent and nurturing this within a commercial environment. We have made some strong relationships in higher education in Sheffield and are looking forward to now extending these relationships within Leeds.”
Leeds and Partners
We will be working with strategic organization, Leeds and Partners on launch plans, using their help to make introductions to the business community in Leeds. Lurene Joseph, Chief Executive of Leeds and Partners, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Plusnet, whose decision to expand their business with a second site in Leeds is a fantastic coup for the city. “Plusnet recognises that there is a rich talent pool in Leeds, and took this into account when making their decision. “As part of our overall approach to inward investment, Leeds and Partners aims to understand the business needs of companies locating in the city, in order to support a sustainable business model. We are committed to working with the universities and colleges in Leeds, to meet the needs of Plusnet’s growing business.”
Building contractors will begin a full strip-out of the Marlborough Street building imminently. Plusnet is working with: Stephen George & Partners, architects who have designed the interior layout of the building; Overbury, the building contractors in charge of the strip-out and re-fit and Hill Lawrence, who are in charge of the mechanical and electrical work. The recruitment drive for the new building is already in planning. For anyone interested in discovering more about roles at Plusnet, go to http://careers.plus.net