AJ Bell to create 94,000 sq ft HQ
The rapidly expanding online personal pension and shares manager, has agreed a deal with landlord Hunter Real Estate to lease the entire No.4 Exchange Quay in Salford.
AJ Bell will relocate 450 staff from Bruntwood’s nearby Trafford House on Chester Road to Exchange Quay.
AJ Bell was established in 1995, has more than 131,100 customers and assets under administration exceeding £28bn. The firm also owns a specialist financial publishing business called AJ Bell Media in London, and a stockbroking business in Tunbridge Wells.
The deal continues a successful year for Hunter at Exchange Quay, acquired in November 2013, almost doubling the existing 100,000 sq ft of lettings secured in the last 12 months.
Jeremy Birkett-Jones, investment director at Hunter, said; “AJ Bell’s commitment to Exchange Quay is a real coup for the development and, along with the recent lettings success, demonstrates that the investment programme has succeeded in bringing this extensive development back to life. We have listened closely to our occupiers and the market and this has enabled us to create an environment that companies want to be a part of. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved and look forward to completing deals on the remaining space.”
Andy Bell, chief executive of AJ Bell, continued: “Our growth has been driven by our easy-to-use low-cost investment platform. The move to Exchange Quay will provide a modern and vibrant working environment for our people and will support our future growth ambitions.”
Exchange Quay agents are Canning O’Neill and Savills. AJ Bell has been represented by Altus Group.
