Gas and electricity supplier Opus Energy Limited is expanding its UK-wide operation and has chosen Cardiff as the location for its new office.
Opus Energy was set up in 2002 and now supplies over 260,000 business sites across the UK. It has over 750 employees in its Northampton HQ and Oxford-based offices and is one of the UK’s leading energy suppliers, ranked at number 19 in the Sunday Times Top Track 250 and number six in the business-to-business energy market.
Andy Nash, Operations Director at Opus Energy, commented “Our new operational hub in Cardiff will make sure we can continue to raise the bar for standards of customer service for businesses across the UK. We are excited by the high calibre workforce in the area and look forward to beginning our recruitment drive in the coming months.”
Number 2 is the second Grade A office building to be completed at Capital Quarter standing seven storeys high in the City’s thriving Enterprise Zone. Developed by J R Smart, the 85,077 sq ft prime office building will be completed in June with Opus Energy set to begin operations from the building shortly thereafter. Opus join existing Capital Quarter tenants including Finance Wales, Alert Logic, Network Rail, WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff and the Home Office.
Mark Sutton, partner at Knight Frank adds: “The Capital Quarter scheme comprises an office led mixed use development and has enjoyed great success attracting a line-up of high profile office tenants. The development links directly into Cardiff’s main shopping area and this, together with the quality of office space on offer, is proving an attractive proposition for occupiers. J R Smart’s attention to detail has equipped Capital Quarter for today’s most discerning occupiers with the buildings offering large open floor plates, an attractive light-filled atrium, plenty of car parking, cycle storage and shower facilities. It’s also an energy efficient building helping to keep operational costs low – particularly fitting given Opus Energy’s focus on renewable power.”
“We welcome Opus Energy’s decision to expand into Cardiff which is testament to the appeal of the City and further endorses the success of the Enterprise Zone,” says Cardiff Council leader Phil Bale. ”I’m confident Opus Energy’s recruitment drive will be successful given the wide variety of skills and the high standard of the local workforce, and with Opus Energy named one of the Top 100 Best Companies to Work for in 2015 by the Sunday Times, it should provide attractive employment opportunities.”
Kate Simpson Head of LSH’s Office Agency team who represented Opus Energy in the transaction said “I am confident Capital Quarter will provide the perfect base for Opus Energy with a combination of its central location, high specification and the facilities it offers staff. Both of Cardiff’s main rail stations are within easy and safe walking distance, it’s on the City Centre ring road so is good for bus services, and there are two large car parks close by as well as additional parking being provided within the Development.”
With only 18,000 sq ft remaining in Number 2 JR Smart are pressing on with Number 3 Capital Quarter which will provide another 75,000 sq ft and will be ready for occupation towards the end of 2017.
Once completed, the overall Capital Quarter Development will house over 1,025,000sq ft of new office, residential, student and retail space and will be Cardiff’s largest redevelopment project.
