Broadband and mobile operator Virgin Media and O2 (VMO2) has today announced that around 1,500 employees (i.e. customer service, commercial and legal teams) are set to move to their new North West HQ in late 2025, which is to be based out of the Island (pictured) building – a net zero carbon workspace in central Manchester.
The new multi-million-pound contract, which is occurring because the lease on the operator’s Wythenshawe office (they’ve occupied this since 1991) is due to expire in early 2026 and ‘Island’ was their preferred replacement, reflects a 10-year agreement to take up around 50% of the new site – almost 50,000 sq ft – with the new regional HQ expected to be operational late next year.
The news follows similar developments in other parts of the country. For example, VMO2’s London-based employees are due to move from Hammersmith to a new state-of-the-art London HQ in Paddington in December 2024, while staff in Lanarkshire will move to a brand-new office space, Maxim Park, early next year. The company also has other core office locations in Reading, Birmingham and Leeds.
Patricia Cobian, VMO2’s Chief Financial Officer, said:
“This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to retaining a sizeable presence in Manchester, with a flagship new office that places us in the heart of the city’s thriving technology hub. With enviable environmental credentials and excellent transport links, this move will help reduce our carbon emissions and make it easier than ever for our employees to choose more environmentally-friendly modes of transport.”