One of the world’s leading international development consultancies is set to double the size of its Oxford headquarters after signing the biggest letting deal the city has seen in two years.
Oxford Policy Management (OPM) will later this year move its staff from its St Aldates base to its new global head office in Clarendon House, in the heart of the university city above Clarendon Shopping Centre. The move will effectively double the organisation’s floorspace to 18,000 sq ft.
The deal is Oxford’s largest office letting since Natural Motion – the worldwide games and technology company with offices in Oxford, London, Brighton and San Francisco – took 18,857 sq ft at Ramsay House in the city’s St Ebbe’s Street two years ago at a reported £15.50 per sq ft. According to agents Carter Jonas that figure has now risen to £19 per sq ft for the Clarendon House deal.
Jon Silversides is a partner in Carter Jonas’ commercial team which acted for the Cornmarket Street building’s landlord, Lothbury Investment Management: “The letting to OPM is significant as it both removes the largest single available suite and also demonstrates a continuing demand for the city centre,” he said. “It’s great news for the city that a company such as OPM is remaining in Oxford’s heart.”
OPM was advised by commercial property consultancy Meeson Williams Phillips “Oxford Policy Management is a perfect example of the need for office buildings in the city centre,” commented agency director, David Williams.
“The company had its origins in the University of Oxford and intends to retain its close linkages with the city. It simply has a strong business case to stay in the city centre.
“OPM is by no means unique, and over the last three years my firm has worked with seven companies searching for offices in the city centre with a cumulative floor area of 62,000 sq ft.”
Oxford Policy Management is an international development consulting firm, that helps policymakers design and implement sustainable solutions for reducing social and economic disadvantage in low- and middle-income countries. Headquartered in Britain it has overseas offices in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and South Africa.
