Durham IT consultancy Waterstones has marked its 25th anniversary with the official opening of its new headquarters.
The company, which employs 166 consultants across three offices, has moved to a new HQ at Aykley Heads with plans to recruit 20 new members of staff this year.
The company - whose co-founder Sally Waterston was named on a list of the UK’s kindest business leaders - involved its staff in the planning of the new office to encourage collaboration and “task-based” working.
To mark the official opening of the office, a special plaque dedicated to the memory of Mrs Waterston’s brother and sister, William and Susan Liddon, was unveiled by Durham chief constable Mike Barton.
Waterstons CEO Susan Bell said: “We’ve come a long way since the formation of the company and we can feel very proud of our achievements over the last 25 years, reaching a turnover of over £11m and expanding our global client base.
“It’s extremely satisfying to be able to celebrate a quarter of a century in business with the official opening of our Durham HQ.
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“The office is an embodiment of our collaborative culture which has helped to drive our success – empowering us to work together towards the common goals of growth, innovation and providing the best service for clients.”
Waterstons - which also offices in Glasgow and London - worked with architects GT3, project managers Identity Consult and workplace designers Project Interiors on the project.
Input from staff led to the design incorporating a flexible working environment with zoned work areas, integrated technology and systems to support smarter team working and greater interaction between colleagues.
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Brian Archer, managing director of Business Durham said: “We’re delighted to see a successful company such as Waterstons reaffirm its commitment to Durham and contribute to the ongoing success of Aykley Heads Business Park.
“Like Waterstons, we recognise that it’s the people behind the business that matter the most. Community spirit is strong in this part of the world and businesses here are rooted in their local communities, providing many opportunities to support and have a significant impact on the lives of other businesses, organisations and people.”
