BDO commits to Ipswich with 10-year Franciscan House lease

BDO says its decision to move to the town centre under a 10-year lease deal signals its long-term commitment to the region.

The accountancy and business advisory firm will move to a new 7500sq ft premises in Franciscan House, Princes Street, later this year when it will move its 140-strong workforce from its current offices at the Ransomes Europark.

The building is set to undergo a refurbishment ahead of the move. Franciscan House has strong environmental credentials with an EPC B rating. The firm plans to halve its emissions by 2030 and become net-zero by 2050.

The new offices will include collaboration areas, focus spaces, modern meeting rooms for external visitors and state of the art technology to allow for hybrid working. 

The business says it operates an "agile working" approach, allowing staff to work from a mixture of office hubs, at home, or at the sites of the businesses it works with. 

Peter Harrup, head of BDO in East Anglia, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce BDO’s renewed commitment to Ipswich and the wider region for another decade.

"Our investment in our office space will make it a really collaborative, modern and accessible space for both our employees and those visiting us for meetings and events.  

“Our existing people and future hires will benefit from our new, town centre location within easy access to the railway station, shops, restaurants and the newly regenerated waterfront area.

"We recently welcomed 13 new apprentices and graduates to Ipswich and we will continue to grow our local presence over the next year.

“We plan to continue to recruit the best and brightest talent in the region and support the ambitious businesses that make up this thriving local community.”