Member Article

Expanding accountancy firm brings "outside in"

A leading provider of accountancy and support services to professional contractors, freelancers and small/medium sized businesses has invested in new premises after outgrowing its former base.

Designed to “bring the outside in”, Umbrella.co.uk’s new offices come equipped with Astroturf, hedge and grass desk dividers and display walls clad in reclaimed wood. Other features include a break-out room with reading area and games area.

The outside feel fits well with the group’s weather named brands which include Umbrella and Breeze Pay.

The move to the Orbit Developments owned 8,000 sq ft HQ, located just a few hundred yards away from its former offices in Wilmslow, Cheshire, comes as the company plans to increase the size of its workforce by 30% over the forthcoming year.

Headcount has grown by the same proportion during the last 12 months, due primarily to strong demand amongst small and medium-sized firms for their online accounting solution offering Xero or FreeAgent cloud based accounting support.

Nicholas Holmes, CEO at Umbrella, said:

“Our new, larger premises will provide the ideal foundation as we look to achieve ambitious growth plans over the coming year and beyond.

“We wanted to create a fun, friendly and vibrant environment that reflects our company ethos, and I think we’ve managed it. There is a real buzz around the place and the whole team is looking to the future with excitement.

“Staff retention and motivation is key and we believe the cool, calming influence of natural wood and plants as well as the light and open plan office will help achieve this. Staying in Wilmslow was also key to our existing employees”.

Paul McLeman, Leasing Director at Orbit Developments said:

‘We’re pleased to welcome such a dynamic company to Riverside Business Park and share in their excitement in the refurbishment of the space to reflect their company values. Umbrella.co.uk are an exciting business with lots of growth ahead of them, we wish them well in their new office.’

Plants and reclaimed wood were supplied by Jessica Rowlands at iwantplants.co.uk who said “At I Want Plants we like to work out of the box and that was exactly what we did when we helped Umbrella.co.uk.

“With the theme being ‘bringing the outside in’ we decided upon using reclaimed wood for that earthly feel. To finish out the quirky outside/inside look we provided desk dividers in a high quality replica grass and also provided wooden troughs filled with ferns. This not only looks great but gives a fun look to a fun office environment”.

Miles Grady, Director for Umbrella.co.uk added “Research has shown that plants in an office increase productivity by 15%. If that is even half true it will be great. The team are definitely happy with the look and feel of the office which counts for a lot”.

The new address for Umbrella Accountants is: Bollin House, Bollin Link, Wilmslow SK9 1DP.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Kinder .