IMAGES | Inside Swinton’s 101 Embankment HQ

Carillion was a joint venture partner in the development of the Swinton Insurance building at Embankment

Work continues on the middle floors where staff will have great views of the cities of Salford and Manchester

In its 60th anniversary year, Swinton has gone back to its roots with the consolidation of two Manchester offices a few yards into Salford – but effectively very much part of Manchester city centre, opposite and with great views of the cathedral, Harvey Nichols, Arndale and Victoria station. The first policies issued by the company were sold in Swinton 60 years ago.

Swinton signed a lease for the entire 165,000 sq ft building in October last year. The 10-storey office, designed by architect Flanagan Lawrence, completed at the start of 2017. Swinton has now taken occupation of the ground, first and second floors. Fit-out by TSK continues on the four floors above. The top three floors will be sublet. WHR Property Consultants is marketing the space to sublet. There is a 442-space Q-Park underneath the office building.

Swinton Insurance will move around 700 support service and call centre staff from offices in Whitworth Street and Great Marlborough Street. The relocation is due to complete in June.

The interior design features different colour trims on each floor selected from the firm’s vivid marketing palette including bright green and gold.

The generous spacing around the desk layout allows room between staff to reduce noise on the phone during customer calls. The sense of room is repeated through the ground floor communal spaces where pool tables, comfy chairs, canteen and television lounge offer staff the chance to take a breather and encourage them to work in different settings.

Each of the upper floors of 17,500 sq ft can accommodate around 200 people. The fifth floor will contain rooms for meeting insurance industry partners, an event space and executive management.

According to Gill Galassi, strategic communications lead at Swinton Insurance, the building is designed to reflect the company’s ambition of becoming an innovator in the insurance sector, which is facing the kind of tech revolution challenging most industries these days.

The large amount of natural light, ample space and commitment to the city have all been welcomed by staff who have moved in so far, she added. Retention and recruitment of the best staff was a major factor in the new office move.

Embankment is a joint venture between Ask Real Estate, Carillion, and Tristan Capital Partners.

Construction is expected to begin in September on 100 Embankment, 164,000 sq ft over eight floors.

Swinton Insurance is owned by French group Covéa SGAM.

CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield are letting agents on Embankment.