Birmingham success story keeps its roots in Edgbaston

An information management company conceived and developed in Birmingham has just taken the entire fifth floor at 54 Hagley Road to accommodate its future growth.

Ridgian, which took just over 6,200 sq ft and was represented by KWB in the relocation, has more than doubled in size in the past four years. Currently employing a team of 50 people, it hopes to employ up to 30 additional people over the next three to five years.

The Birmingham born and bred founders and current management, took the decision to move to 54 Hagley Road to make a statement about where the company is now positioned in the marketplace and because of the opportunity to stamp its own mark on the open plan offices.

Jason Betteridge, managing director at Ridgian said: “We felt the leafy suburb of Edgbaston was exactly the right image to reflect our market leading position and Birmingham’s central location is ideal for commuting to London and enabling clients to easily access us from across the UK.

“By taking the entire fifth floor, we had a blank canvas with which to work with and incorporate all the needs of our business. We have been asked to create cutting edge, welcoming space in which to work and inspire up to 70 people, incorporating hot-desking and some of the latest technology to reflect our innovative, positive spirit as an organisation and accommodate our ambition for future growth.”

54 Hagley Road has benefited from a continual programme of investment to the value of £16m, to include the replacement of all windows and as part of its improvement have introduced an upmarket cafe bar and deli shop, Cafe Kix, which has proved a big hit with tenants.

Jon Carmalt from Jones Lang LaSalle, joint agents with GVA and GBRPB added:

“Quality offices are fast becoming ever more important to employers as they look to maintain a competitive edge and retain and recruit the best staff. Clearly this will be .hugely important to Ridgian as it looks to expand. By negotiating with the landlords they have been able to agree favorable terms, enabling the company to invest more in the fit-out of its offices and provide a high quality-working environment.

“This is the beauty of 54, in that it offers a premier location for businesses without the overheads of a city centre office and the flexible terms offered by the landlord, provides the opportunity for both large and small companies to sit side-by-side and make an equally impressive statement.”

A range of space varying from 2,200 to 67,840 sq ft is currently available to let at 54.

Tenants benefit from a large statement central reception area, home to Cafe Kix and include air conditioning, lifts and suspended ceilings with LG7-compatible lighting, as well as open floor plates with carpeted raised floors.

The car-parking ratio of 1:438 sq ft of office accommodation in surface, undercroft and multi-storey levels is also much better than available in other areas of Birmingham.

All this is complemented by views across a surprising amount of green space in Edgbaston, which is one of Europe’s largest Urban Conservation areas. A wealth of amenities are also available with first class transport links including Five Ways train station, quality schools, Michelin star restaurants, historic beauty spots and first class sporting and leisure facilities.