BT Group has officially reopened its Glasgow office following a multi-million pound refurbishment.
The office, known as Alexander Bain House, first opened in 2001 and is a ‘key’ location in the company’s future plans, with the refurbishment creating a ‘fantastic, modern’ workplace which will now be home to around 2,000 colleagues.
Glasgow was named as a significant long-term location for BT Group in 2020 as part of the company’s better workplace programme. The five-year programme, which will be complete next year, is seeing BT Group revamp hundreds of its offices across the UK and establish an estate of modern workspaces. The group is also undertaking a multi-million pound development of its new contact centre in Dundee.
The Clydeside building, with panoramic views of the waterfront, is close to transport hubs including Glasgow Central Station, as well as providing cycle parking for colleagues. Boasting ‘state-of-the-art’ technology, it also has flexible work and collaboration areas, as well as wellbeing, relax, and refuel areas.
BT explained that the shared workplaces are ‘central’ to its future, with them providing environments for colleagues to come together to collaborate, learn, develop, and share their experiences. The organisation added that it believes that inspiring office environments, combined with a flexible approach to home working, will play a ‘vital’ role in its future and in the local economies of its key hub locations.
Commenting on the official opening, Richard Lochhead MSP, minister for small business, innovation, tourism, and trade, said, “I warmly welcome BT Group’s continued investment in Scotland and congratulate it on the official reopening of Alexander Bain House. The thousands of jobs that BT Group has created in Glasgow continue to make a meaningful contribution to the city’s economy and I am glad that these colleagues will continue to thrive here.
“The Scottish Government and BT Group are working together to deliver connectivity across Scotland – from our work with Openreach in delivering broadband through our Reaching 100% programme, to EE’s strong support of our Scottish 4G Infill Programme, tackling mobile coverage gaps in rural areas.”
Brent Mathews, BT Group’s property & facilities services director, added, “We’re really excited for our colleagues in Alexander Bain House following this multi-million pound investment in our Glasgow flagship office. We’re bringing our people together in an impressive and modern environment, transforming the way our teams work to benefit our colleagues, customers and shareholders.
“We really want our colleagues to be proud of where they work and to feel part of something brilliant, inspiring them to continue to do the best that they can for our customers.
“This investment also marks a significant commitment in Glasgow and in Scotland. As a major employer in the city, our presence will support local economic growth and employment opportunities. It also demonstrates our continued commitment to leading the way in connecting Scotland, unlocking a new era of connectivity with the launch of the SWAN website and services.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said, “Glasgow is one of the UK’s most successful centres to do business, with an increasing international profile and reputation as a leader in attracting and retaining talent and a skilled workforce.
“This multi-million-pound investment by BT Group in its Glasgow HQ really enhances our competitiveness, adding real value to our city and its economy.
“BT Group’s original decision over 20 years ago to locate a major headquarters in Glasgow was a real vote of confidence in a changing city. This latest investment by a truly global organisation reaffirms that commitment and it’s clear that BT Group appreciates the value of its long-term presence in our city.”
