Work has started on a multi-million pound office building which will bring hundreds more jobs into Middlesbrough’s Centre Square.

AXA UK will transfer its 450 Teesside staff there when it is ready next year. The building – 40,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over four floors – is the next phase of the landmark office development, led by developer Ashall Projects, which has already seen other high-profile companies re-locate into the heart of the town.

Last year XPS, Causeway and First Source moved into the first two buildings of the Centre Square development. They are about to be joined by GB Bank and two of the UK’s most prominent firms of barristers. Around 1,000 people will then be working in the new Centre Square offices.

AXA UK’s building – Six Centre Square – is being funded and bought by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority. Middlesbrough Council is also contributing a £2m grant to the project from its Towns Fund allocation which was provided by the government as part of the levelling up programme.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston, developer Mark Ashall and representatives of AXA UK have visited the site to mark the start of construction.

Mr Houchen said: “Our region is fast becoming the go to place for professional services firms looking to expand or relocate due to the fantastic facilities we have on offer. Following the announcement that the Treasury and other major government departments are coming to Darlington, bringing with them 1,500 senior civil service jobs, opportunities in professional services are growing.
“This means our young people can see that they can stay local and go far. Investing in Centre Square is a no-brainer as it’s a superb working environment and convenient location for businesses to thrive.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “Despite all the challenges, Middlesbrough’s making huge strides forward, and Centre Square is right at the heart of that positive transformation.

“AXA is just the latest high-quality employer to invest here. They will bring and create a wide range of well-paid jobs, while giving our town centre restaurants, cafes and shops a much needed boost.

“Middlesbrough hasn’t known regeneration like it’s currently experiencing for decades but the best is yet to come.”

Anna Fleming, chief operating officer at AXA UK Retail Insurance, said Six Centre Square will provide the insurer with an ideal base for its growing workforce as the company continues to recruit throughout 2022.

“Relocating to Six Centre Square means we can provide a better working environment for staff by offering greater flexibility and a range of wellbeing solutions in a building which will lead the way in energy efficiency and sustainability,” she said. “We’re proud to continue showing our support and commitment to Middlesbrough and its ongoing regeneration.”

The main contractor is Bowmer + Kirkland (B + K) which is managing the scheme from its North East office in Sunderland. It has already engaged a number of local companies and estimates that about two-thirds of the people needed for the project will live locally.

Ed Besford, B+K NE and Scotland Regional Director, said: “We are delighted to be working again with Ashall’s on the next development at Centre Square following our successful delivery of Centre Square phases 1 and 2. It is great to see the progression of this scheme and the benefits this will undoubtedly have on the local economy.”

Further phases of the Centre Square development are already planned. Last summer Middlesbrough Council’s Planning and Development Committee approved an outline plan for three more buildings which will provide space for another 1,000 office staff.

Developer Mark Ashall said Centre Square had been transformed into the business hub of the Tees Valley: “Middlesbrough previously lacked the high-quality office space needed to attract employers – and that has now been addressed.

“Centre Square’s buildings provide the light and airy working environment that both companies and their staff now demand. Their location means they also have easy access to transport links including the new direct service to London as well as the shops, restaurants and amenities of Middlesbrough town centre.”

He added: “After years of being seen as a backwater Teesside is now buzzing. The new Central Government northern campus, the Freeport and the various Net Zero Teesside initiatives make it an exciting time for the region. Centre Square, and the great working environment it offers, will play a key role in supporting the professional and business service providers who are being attracted to the Tees Valley which is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s most economically active areas.”

When the Centre Square development started in 2017 it was estimated that it would deliver an additional £92.4m each year to the local economy. That has now been revised to more than £120m.

Re-energising Middlesbrough businesses for export growth: Introduction to the UK Export Academy and the business support available
Date: Tuesday 15 March 2022
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Venue: Middlesbrough College, STEM Building, Windward Way, Middlesbrough, TS3 6AF

Are you a Middlesbrough business owner? Do you want to increase your sales and find new customers?

Join the Department for International Trade (DIT) North East and Middlesbrough Council for a FREE event, designed to showcase the training, support and funding opportunities available in your area to expand your customer base internationally.

This event is a great opportunity to tap into knowledge and expertise from local business support specialists, and discover the latest funding opportunities available for eligible businesses who are looking to sell overseas.

Find out how your business can benefit from the UK Export Academy, a free training programme designed to help you acquire the skills to sell overseas successfully.

Receive an update on Free Trade Agreements and the opportunities they bring. Hear from your local Council on the initiatives available for businesses in your area, and have your queries answered during an interactive Q&A.

Speakers include:

  • British Business Bank
  • Department for International Trade North East
  • Middlesbrough Council
  • North East Chamber of Commerce
  • Tees Valley Business
  • UK Export Finance

For more information, email northeast@tradene.org or call 0345 136 0169, or .

Two of the UK’s most prominent firms of barristers are the latest businesses to move into Centre Square – Middlesbrough’s flagship office development.

Dere Street Barristers and Park Square Barristers will join the XPS Pensions Group in the award-winning 2 Centre Square. 

Next year the newly-created GB Bank will open its headquarters in the building and details will be released soon of another new arrival.  Then only one wing of 2 Centre Square – around 5,500 sq ft on the ground floor – remains to be let.  1 Centre Square’s office space is already fully occupied by Firstsource and Causeway.

In January building work is due to start on 6 Centre Square – a four-storey 40,000 sq ft office development.  AXA UK has already confirmed that it will move its 450 local staff there. 

Developer Mark Ashall of Ashall Projects launched the Centre Square project six years ago, in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, with the aim of revitalising the heart of the town by attracting employers offering well-paid jobs.  He believed that businesses would only move there if high quality office space was provided.

“All of the team responsible for Centre Square – as well as Middlesbrough Council – should be extremely proud of what has been achieved despite the disruption caused by the pandemic,” said Mr Ashall.  

“More importantly there are now companies in Centre Square employing hundreds of people and many of them have plans to recruit additional staff.  That’s great news for all the people who have been hired as well as the local shops, restaurants and bars who will feel the benefit of the increased spending power in the town centre.”

The headcount at XPS, for example, has risen from 78 in October 2020 to 120 now and it is still recruiting.  Its new contact centre is also growing faster than expected. 

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: ““This is more fantastic news. It is further evidence that, despite COVID, Middlesbrough is re-emerging as the regional hub for jobs, energy and investment.

“Well done to Middlesbrough Council staff for their valuable input in making this happen. I know this is only one of many positive announcements coming.

“These new offices are attracting businesses to central Middlesbrough.

“At the same time, bit by bit, we’re working with private landlords to get their empty office buildings renovated and let to bring even more businesses and jobs into the centre of our town.”

Both firms of barristers believe moving to Centre Square will benefit their businesses.  Phil Paxton, head clerk of Dere Street Barristers, said: “We have been looking for some time at acquiring a premises in Middlesbrough to help service the needs of our clients in this region and it has taken a while to find a place that meets our requirements.  We are very pleased that 2 Centre Square ticks all of our boxes.”

He added: “Dere Street Barristers is one of the largest sets of barristers in the country with over 100 members of Chambers practising primarily in the North East.  We have strong roots servicing the legal requirements of the people of Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley and always have a large presence at the courts in this region.  Many of our members have gone on to become judges in the courts in and around Teesside after having successful careers at the bar.”

Park Square Barristers has more than 180 barristers and 30 support staff in the UK.  Fifteen barristers and three staff are moving to Centre Square and there are plans to recruit more

Senior managing clerk Richard Sadler said: “We are absolutely delighted to secure these premises which will provide the perfect foundation for growing our business and our brand in the North East.

“This is a modern impressive building – perfectly located within a stone’s throw to Teesside Combined Court Centre and the Magistrates Court.  We can’t wait to get started.”

Commercial property specialist Dodds Brown has been involved from the outset in the Centre Square project and has helped secure the arrival of the new occupiers. 

“For too long Middlesbrough has been by-passed by employers because it didn’t have the standard of office they required,” said Dodds Brown’s senior partner Stephen Brown.

“Centre Square has changed all that.  But now the first two buildings are nearly full we must not rest on our laurels.  More high-quality space must be provided to ensure we don’t miss out again, particularly as there’s going to be high demand for offices from the global companies which will be operating out of the freeport for years to come.”

Ashall Projects has already taken major steps to build on the success achieved to date and attract employers who wish to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the freeport and new government campus in the region and want to provide a great working environment and access to amenities and local transport for their staff. 

In July Middlesbrough Council also approved an outline planning application for three further Centre Square buildings which together would have room for around 1,000 office workers. 

Contracts have been signed to deliver the next stage of the multi-million pound regeneration of Middlesbrough as a regional centre for business.

Developer Ashall Projects will build a four-storey 40,000 sq ft Grade A office building on a vacant site near Melrose Street.

It has been confirmed that insurance company AXA UK will move more than 450 staff there from its operations in the Tees Valley. 

The new building – Six Centre Square – is being funded and bought by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.  Middlesbrough Council is also contributing a £2m grant to the project from of its Towns Fund allocation which was provided by the government as part of the levelling up programme.

Construction will start in early 2022 and the building is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. 

This is the latest phase in the Centre Square project which has already seen major employers, such as Firstsource, XPS and Causeway, bring around 1,000 existing and new staff into the first two buildings which – with further announcements imminent – will soon be nearly fully occupied.

Mark Ashall, director of Ashall Projects, said the go-ahead for Six Centre Square resulted from the strength of the partnership between the public and private sectors and their shared vision for the future of Middlesbrough.

“For many years the centre of Middlesbrough has not had the Grade A office space needed to attract employers offering attractive and well-paid office jobs.   Centre Square has changed that and we will also see local businesses – shops, restaurants, bars and gyms – benefit from this influx of people with real spending power.”

He added: “This is the next stage in the development of Middlesbrough as a professional services hub providing easy access for businesses serving both Teesworks, the nearby Central Government hub as well as the wider area.

“It is another game-changer alongside the launch of direct train services between Middlesbrough and London and the council’s bid for city status.”

Anna Fleming, chief operating officer at AXA UK Retail Insurance, said Six Centre Square will provide the insurer with an ideal base for its growing workforce as the company continues to recruit throughout 2022.

“We’re delighted to confirm our move to this great new building in the middle of Middlesbrough town centre,” she said.

“Relocating to Six Centre Square means we can provide a better working environment for staff by offering greater flexibility and a range of wellbeing solutions in a building which will lead the way in energy efficiency and sustainability.  We’re proud to continue showing our support and commitment to Middlesbrough and its ongoing regeneration.” 

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “It’s another positive step forward – one of many. 

“It’s great to be working with Ashall Projects, bringing really high-quality employers into the centre of Middlesbrough and this will be a further catalyst for more jobs and more opportunities.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’m delighted AXA have confirmed they will be moving into Six Centre Square when it is complete, the move will mean they grow further and create more well-paid jobs for local people.

“Our region is known the world over for our engineering, chemical and processing skills, but we also have a fantastic workforce when it comes to professional services.

“This is just the latest development we’re backing to show businesses that, whatever their needs, they can do it here and don’t have to go to a city Newcastle, Leeds or Manchester.

“This will help them play a part in our region’s success and bring more people to our town centres, supporting brilliant local businesses and boosting regeneration for the good of everyone.”

In July the council’s Planning and Development Committee approved an outline plan for three further Centre Square buildings which will provide space for another 1,000 office staff.

Committee members were told that it was originally estimated that the whole Centre Square project would provide an additional annual boost of £92.4m to the local economy. That has now been revised to more than £120m.  

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has today (13 December) welcomed the news that LNER have commenced its first direct train from Middlesbrough to London, the station’s first service in more than 30-years.

The inaugural direct weekday connection, originally announced by Mayor Houchen earlier this year, saw one of LNER’s new Azuma trains leave Middlesbrough at 07:08 for a London King’s Cross arrival time of 10:22. A return service from London’s Kings Cross will also operate at 15:25. 

The train arrived following the first phase of a £34million station overhaul, supported by £22.5million from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, which saw a 75-metre extension to platform 2 completed in June.

Work is now being carried out to make the station even better for travellers, including opening up the dilapidated undercroft to provide a new entrance. A further phase will see a new platform 3 built to the north of platform 2 to increase train capacity within the station, with completion expected by summer 2023.

Mayor Houchen said: “The first Azuma train has now rolled into Middlesbrough station, giving the town a vital link to London so people from across Teesside Darlington and Hartlepool have even more options when travelling to the capital.

“I pledged we’d see them by the end of the year and, after months of critical work and an investment of £22.5million to upgrade the station, the service is finally here. This connection will become increasingly important as we drive forward Teesworks and the Teesside Freeport and capitalise on all of the opportunities these provide. It will make it easier for our businesses to seek out new partnerships and grow, as well as boosting the potential for inward investment in our region.   

“Work is still going on to make Middlesbrough station even better, and we’re making improvements at stations right across our region to give local people the fast, reliable and smooth transport network they deserve.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “We’re proud to be introducing our revolutionary Azuma services between Middlesbrough and London King’s Cross. Their arrival will transform travel for customers and generate further economic opportunities for the area, with our direct services making business, leisure and international travel simpler, smarter and greener.

“Our Azuma trains offer customers greater comfort and space, keeping people connected with free onboard Wi-Fi and sockets at every seat. Our superb at-seat catering offers in both Standard and First further enhance our customer experience.”

An outfitting and industrial services contractor is implementing its plans to grow and provide services to British, Canadian and Australian Navies, thanks to funding secured right here in the Tees Valley.

Barrier Architectural Services, which is based in Wynyard, Teesside, operates within the defence, offshore, marine and renewable energy construction industries, providing specialist architectural, insulation, façade cladding, design, procurement and installation services.

After being awarded a grant of £40,150 through the Tees Valley Business Growth Fund, the firm is continuing with its plans to grow across the globe.

Tony Scott, Barrier Architectural Services commercial director, said: “We applied for funding because we wanted to implement our growth plans without the potential financial constraints of Brexit and the pandemic impacting these.

“Now, we’re able to recruit and implement technologies that enable us to provide greater security, optimise efficiencies and support the likes of the Global Combatant Shipbuilding Programmes.”

The grant received will be used to expand Barrier’s 44-strong team, procure business software packages and implement new IT and security systems.

Five jobs will be created thanks to the funding, with the company set to recruit an additional design engineer, project manager, CAD draftsperson and admin staff.

Barrier accessed the grant, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Tees Valley Growth hub at TVCA with the support of Middlesbrough-based business support consultancy, Nudl.

Tony said: “In businesses like ours we don’t always have the time or resources to see the application process through due diligence.

“We were made aware of Nudl through a colleague, and after getting in touch with the team, it was clear that the process would be much less time onerous and disruptive to our business if we utilised their services and expertise.”

Annmarie Antunes, Nudl’s operations manager, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at Barrier.

“Being able to learn about the different elements of the industry and all the specialist areas the firm covers was a truly eye-opening, insightful and enjoyable experience.

“We can’t wait to watch as the business grows throughout not only Teesside, but the world.”

Tony added: “We formed a great informal relationship with the Nudl team which gave us confidence that we could leave our interests in their hands.

“I would have no hesitation at all in recommending them to other firms looking to grow.”

Work is well underway on a multi-million pound office development which will turbo-charge Middlesbrough’s digital ambitions.

Mayor Andy Preston was on site to officially break ground on the Boho X project.

The 60,000 sq ft of grade A office space will feature a gym, café, rooftop bar, event space and a lecture theatre.

Based ‘over the border’ and close to the recently opened Boho 8 modular office space, Boho X will provide more top class facilities for the town’s world-renowned digital and creative sector.

Mayor Preston said: “Things are really starting to happen all over Middlesbrough.

“It’s brilliant to see work starting on Boho X, which will be the best office space for literally 100 miles, with incredible facilities.

“Our digital and technology businesses are the future of our economy and this will be an amazing place for them to work.

“Along with our plans to revitalise the old town hall and build hundreds of new homes, we’re transforming this part of central Middlesbrough to make it an incredible place to live and socialise as well.”

Mr Preston was joined on site by Matt Naylor from construction contractor Galliford Try and Ono Odudu from developers BCEGI.

The project has been supported with £26.5m in funding from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’m delighted spades are now in the ground to make these plans a reality and further transform the Boho zone for our world-class tech and digital sectors.

“These industries are hugely important in driving the creation of good-quality, well-paid jobs in the region and Boho X will give them even more of a chance to grow, collaborate and innovate.

“The state-of-the-art building will also undoubtedly attract more cutting-edge firms to our area, driving more investment and proving to our young people that you don’t need to go to Newcastle or Leeds for a great digital career.”

Ono Odudu, technical director at BCEGI, said: “Getting a spade in the ground at Boho X, despite the challenges presented by Covid, is something we’re incredibly proud of. 

“Once complete and occupied, Boho X will play a pivotal role in attracting talent and creating opportunities for the local community in the heart of Middlesbrough.  We’re delighted to play a small part in this.”

Matt Naylor, operations manager for Galliford Try, said: “We are delighted to be playing our part in the continued regeneration of Middlesbrough, as we get underway with this fantastic new Boho X project.

“We look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved to create a high-quality workspace that will help generate business growth in the area.”

PD Ports is delighted to have granted a new long-term lease to Diffusion Alloys at Teesport Commerce Park, allowing for the construction of a new £1.5 million coating facility and centre for excellence.

Diffusion Alloys, an established global leader in diffusion coatings for large components, has occupied its current site at Teesport Commerce Park for over eighteen years and now, thanks to the new lease, is accelerating plans to build a new, 8,000sq.ft. warehouse on site that will boost processing capability and create 20 new, sustainable jobs over the next two years.

This investment is the latest in a string of developments welcomed to Teesport Commerce Park following PD Ports’ success in securing two waste-to-energy plants to the Tees Valley in conjunction with Wentworth Clean Power, projects worth a cumulative £660 million.

PD Ports Group Property Director, Michael McConnell, welcomed the further investment at Teesport Commerce Park. He said: “PD Ports is delighted to have granted Diffusion Alloys a new long-term lease that will enable them to continue to grow their business and build a brand new production facility in line with growing demand.

“Projects such as Diffusion Alloys’ centre for excellence and the Wentworth Clean Power waste-to-energy plants really highlight the trust and confidence that large-scale business have in the Tees Valley thanks to our expertise, our strong-skills base and our unrivalled connections to global markets.

“We very much look forward to continuing to support Diffusion Alloys as they bring their new facility to fruition over the longer-term.”

Diffusion Alloys Managing Director, Lisa Randall, explained that an anticipated significant rise in demand for its specialist services over the next 10-20 years was the driving force behind the decision to expand the company’s Tees-based capabilities and headquarter its centre for excellence at Teesport Commerce Park.

“We are delighted to be not only extending our lease at Teesport Commerce Park, but also investing further to build a new facility on site,” said Lisa. “The new factory and centre for excellence site will enable the company to support the build out of hydrogen generation technology from within the UK.

“The decision is testimony to our dedicated and hard-working staff in Teesside who have been instrumental in making this investment possible.”

PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, directly invested over £17 million in infrastructure and developments across the Tees Valley during 2020, building on the £1 billion of investment the port operator has attracted in the last decade.

Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) offers fully-funded training to help fill skills gaps, raise productivity, and boost business growth. Over £10.3m of funding is available to help small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Tees Valley to take advantage of free training for their employees.

If you’re an SME and you’re looking for training to help support the growth of your business, SSW might be for you.

Training on offer includes:

  • construction
  • customer service
  • digital marketing and social media
  • healthcare
  • leadership and management

Some of the industries which have benefitted from the free training include:

  • advanced manufacturing and engineering
  • business services
  • construction
  • digital
  • energy
  • life sciences
  • retail
  • service sector

Businesses in Middlesbrough are already seeing the benefits of upskilling their staff. R C Ayres, a construction business which provides building and roofing services, took advantage of the SSW training offer.

Courses are delivered by local training providers, including Evolution Training and Consultancy Services.

Not only has the training helped their staff to maintain R C Ayres’ excellent reputation by delivering work at a high standard, but their qualifications also give their clients confidence in the quality of the company’s staff, so enquiries and workload continue to be consistent.

They’ve also noticed a significant boost in morale in the team, which is also having a positive impact on client satisfaction.

To find out more about the free training, visit the SSW website.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston has welcomed a new employer to the town as its new recruits get down to work.

Established customer services business Echo-U has opened its third UK base at Boho Zero, close to the railway station.

Mayor Preston visited the firm to hear more about their plans to recruit 150 full-time staff on permanent contacts.

Team leader and customer services roles are available with Echo-U also requiring an operations manager.

Staff will mainly work on Echo-U’s JD Sports contract.

Mayor Preston said: “It’s great that Echo-U have decided set up base in Middlesbrough.

“They’ve got lots of jobs available at different levels and I’d encourage anyone looking for work to get in touch with them.

“We’re working flat out to transform our town centre so it has the right mix of work, living, learning and leisure.

“Echo-U’s arrival at Boho Zero is another small piece of that jigsaw and I’m very happy to welcome them here.”

Echo-U co-director David Blakey said: “We’ve found exactly what we were looking for in Middlesbrough.

“We have a great office space and access to the staff we need in an ambitious town with a plan for the future.”

Fellow co-director Diana Bourke said: “We had a warm welcome at a recruitment fair in the town and have already had lots of positive interest in the roles.

“It’s a pleasure to set up a new base and we hope to put strong roots down in Middlesbrough and be part of the town’s success.”

The Council has thanked building owner Python Properties for their role in bringing Echo-U to the town.

Echo-U already employs more than 500 people across its Newcastle headquarters and a site in Bournemouth.