Accountancy group Deloitte has opened its new Bristol office in a move that brings its South West team together under one roof while also meeting its aim of decarbonising its buildings and prioritising sustainable growth.
The base, in Bristol’s landmark Halo development – one of the UK’s most sustainable office schemes – is now occupied by 750 staff who had previously been spread across two offices in the city. 
Deloitte said it chose Halo, pictured, where it has moved into a total of 29,500 sq ft on the first and second floors, as it had set new standards of sustainable office design.
The 116,000 sq ft office building at Finzels Reach is one of the first outside London to receive the BREEAM Outstanding accreditation.
It is equipped with high-efficiency air cooled chillers, energy regeneration from lifts, solar panels on the roof and joinery made from recycled resin – which reduce energy and water consumption as well as carbon emissions. It also has a drone landing pad on its roof for airborne deliveries.
Deloitte’s in-house real estate team designed the new office to enable a culture of engagement and inclusivity, with more shared spaces for team connection and collaborative working, and a dedicated client suite.
Wellness spaces are also incorporated, including a nursing room and a multi-faith space.
The firm has adopted a hybrid working model that allows staff and teams to have flexibility and control over how they work – including across client sites, the firm’s own offices or at home – to maximise client impact. 
Deloitte South West and Wales practice senior partner Dave Tansley, pictured, said: “This significant move for Deloitte underlines our role in the wider region, both as a leading employer and respected business.
“We have an ambitious, mission-led vision for growth for both the firm and the region, and we believe this new working space will supercharge that.
“As we reinforce our commitment to growing our business in the South West, it is vital to have a workspace that meets our needs, by prioritising collaborative spaces and co-working areas, allowing our people and clients to network, build relationships and socialise in an inclusive and effective working environment – now and for the future.” 
Deloitte head of sustainability Gavin Harrison added that sustainability and environmental credentials had been at the core of the firm’s decision-making process regarding the new Bristol office.
“Halo is genuinely a state-of-the-art building that aligns with our environmental values,” he said.
“Choosing Halo in the centre of Bristol as our new home and bringing our team together in a highly sustainable and collaborative workspace reinforces our commitment to our people and clients, but also to playing our part in the future prosperity of the city and wider region.”
Deloitte’s relocation to Halo from its previous Bristol offices in Rivergate and Bull Wharf follows similar moves in Edinburgh and Manchester, where its new offices have also been designed with collaboration and hybrid ways of working in mind.
Halo, which was developed by Bristol firm Cubex, is also home to international law firm Osborne Clarke, which moved its 800 Bristol employees into 74,000 sq ft on the top five floors last year.
With 4,397 sq ft on ground floor under offer, just 8,200 sq ft of building remains available.
