Construction of insurance company Ecclesiastical’s new headquarters has been completed with essential staff now moving into the new base in Gloucester Business Park.
The new building, which has been named Benefact House, took 18 months to complete with minimal delay to works, despite restrictions put in place throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company said the spacious new office space had been designed to “support how the business works in the future and taking into account the UK Government’s guidance on social distancing.”
Ecclesiastical was previously based in Beaufort House on Brunswick Road, it’s home in Gloucester since the 1970s.
The firm’s new home, part of what the company called an “ongoing commitment” to remaining in the area, will accommodate all of its Gloucester-based teams, with 500 parking spaces and electric car charging points available for staff and visitors.
The company said that it had been working with the Hucclecote Parish Council and housing developers to improve the office’s surrounding, with further plans for a fitness trail and benches for the local community.
Caroline Taplin, group HR director at Ecclesiastical and project sponsor, said she was “absolutely delighted” that the new office had been completed.
Ms Raplin said: “Despite colleagues having moved to home working incredibly effectively it is by no means the norm.
“A physical space will continue to play a crucial role in how we work going forward and we have been able to look at how flexible working may look in the future and bring elements of this into the design.
“It is a fantastic achievement to have completed the project, particularly given the challenges of working in a COVID-19 secure way.”
Ecclesiastical was originally founded in 1887 to protect Anglican churches and church buildings against the risk of fire.
It is one of the largest independent, British-owned insurers and also provides investment management, broking and advisory services.
The firm also has UK offices in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
