Bristol’s standing as a centre for innovation in financial services has been boosted with the decision by fast-growing Blue Speck Financial to relocate to a larger base in the city and nearly double its workforce.
The company, acquired last May by South African financial services giant MMI, is to open the 120-person office in the showpiece 10 Templeback building. The firm – regarded as a pioneer in the UK fintech sector – will move into 13,000 sq ft on the building’s top floor in March. It is currently based in Queen Charlotte Street. 
The firm, which operates the Yourwealth.co.uk website and Money Hub app, plans to recruit a further 100 staff by 2017. Yourwealth harnesses technology to make it easy for individuals to manage their money while the MoneyHub app, used across phone, tablet and desktop, helps people manage, track and gain visibility of their finances in a new way.
Its ambitious expansion plans were highlighted by Prime Minister David Cameron in the UK Investment Summit in Newport last November.
Its decision to relocate to 10 Templeback comes two months after the 122,000 sq ft waterside building was acquired by London-based property investment firm Benson Elliot.
Previous owners UK & European Investments redeveloped the six-storey building, which incorporates the historic Bristol Lighting Station – the city’s first electricity station – in 2009.
Blue Speck has taken its space, which includes a roof terrace, on a 10-year lease, joining current tenants NFU Mutual.
Blue Speck Financial CEO and Bristol serial entrepreneur Toby Hughes said: “We knew finding Grade A office space large enough to house 120 people in the city centre would be a challenge so we are delighted to have completed the deal here at 10 Templeback, which offers us everything we need and more. 
“The contemporary open-plan space will allow the business to grow its operation and provide jobs and income for the local economy, which we’re very happy to be a part of.”
Cube Real Estate, which asset manages the property on behalf of Benson Elliot, has applied for planning permission to improve the building’s reception and boost its green travel credentials with new facilities for cyclists including bike racks, showers, a drying room and lockers. It already has a ferry stop.
Cube asset manager Jonathan Lawes said: “It is very encouraging to see a deal complete at 10 Templeback so soon after we acquired it on behalf of Benson Elliot. We now look forward to progressing plans to bring one of the city’s largest available Grade A offices back to life.” Office space in the building will be available from 4,700 sq ft, he said.
Invest Bristol & Bath head of inward investment Matthew Cross added: “As well as bringing a prime city centre site forward, breathing new life into 10 Templeback will help attract further investment into the region and allow some of the city’s home-grown start-ups and SMEs to grow in situ.”
The building is jointly marketed by agents DTZ and Alder King. DTZ Bristol office agency director Andy Heath said: “We are delighted to welcome Blue Speck to Templeback which we hope will be the first of many new tenants in the building.
“The redesigned entrance will further enhance the appeal of Templeback, which, coupled with the new bike and shower hub and bespoke concierge facilities, will make the building one of the most attractive in the city.”
He said two other transactions were currently under offer totalling 15,000 sq ft in the building, which claims the title of the city’s greenest office block. NFU Mutual occupies two floors, with three floors totalling 65,000 sq ft vacant. Financial details of Blue Speck’s deal have not been disclosed.
