New Plymouth office 'an investment in our people'

Colleagues in Plymouth are settling in to our stunning new office at Royal William Yard.

Spanning 8,800 sq ft over two floors of the Grade 1-listed Melville building, the new office features a mix of work, collaboration and social spaces for our growing team of over 100 chartered accountants and business advisers. Clients and members of the city’s business community attended a launch event to celebrate its opening.

Some of our Plymouth team who welcomed guests to our new office in Royal William Yard (Photos: Claire Tregaskis)

Duncan Leslie, Plymouth office managing partner, said: “The investment in the physical environment here is also an investment in our people and the support they give to businesses across the city and beyond. The response from colleagues since we moved in has been extremely positive.

“The post-pandemic period was an interesting time to be making key decisions about what the office of the future should be like. Lots of commentators were questioning the future of offices generally. We had to spend a lot of time thinking about what the era of hybrid working would bring – how people will want to work, how often and where.

“We’re very proud of our new home and look forward to welcoming existing and new clients to visit us here at Royal William Yard.”

Isaac Moore, corporate finance associate, added: “We’re really lucky as staff to be part of a firm that invests in its people, and this office is a prime example of that. We were brought into the decision-making process and a lot of our ideas have been implemented to create an environment where people will get together to be happy and productive in their work. In today’s world, work-life balance is really important and we’re fortunate to have lots of opportunities for socialising, exercise and sports on our doorstep.”

Royal William Yard is a key urban regeneration project for Plymouth. The historic waterfront area has been brought back to life by award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash as a vibrant hub for businesses spanning hospitality, leisure, financial and professional services. PKF Francis Clark joins Hub Box, Pho and BLOCK Plymouth in the sensitively restored first phase of Melville, the striking centrepiece of the yard.

The firm’s new workspace has been designed to enable collaborative working between staff and with clients. There are spaces to meet and work in a variety of ways, with traditional desk areas and relaxed, adaptable zones to meet the needs of hybrid working.

Emily Jones, commercial director of Urban Splash, said: “It is an honour to have one of the region’s oldest and most respected businesses join us at Royal William Yard. Moving to this particularly special building – itself packed with history and having been the beating heart of how the Yard once ran – seems especially fitting. Melville is an incredible building and we have always had a clear vision, ahead of and throughout its restoration, about its potential.

“Over the past decade we have transformed the Yard into a bustling place in which people can live, work and play – somewhere that’s filled with shops, bars, restaurants, galleries, a gym, sports pursuits on the water – and of course great office based businesses whose colleagues benefit from an environment in which they can work productively and live life to the fullest.”

Find out more about careers at PKF Francis Clark.