Office fit-out specialist Overbury has completed a major project for The Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) which will see 566 SRA staff and 131 Law Society Group Shared Services staff move into new offices at a landmark building in Birmingham.
Overbury’s design and build team won the contract to provide a turnkey solution after the Law Society and SRA’s decision to consolidate three existing regional offices into one new central hub.
The two organisations have taken 55,000 sq ft of office space at The Cube, an eye-catching mixed-use development designed by award-winning architect Ken Shuttleworth. From 1 October The Cube building will be the new headquarters of the SRA and, on an adjacent floor, the Law Society Group’s Shared Services operations.
Julian Lebray, Overbury’s Central regional managing director, said: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside the SRA and the Law Society Group Shared Services in creating impressive new SRA and Law Society Group Shared Services headquarters and office space at a landmark building in the heart of Birmingham.
“Our design and build team, in consultation with the SRA, The Law Society and consultants Knight Frank, has transformed the offices, spanning three floors, into a mixture of cellular offices, meeting rooms, breakout points and open plan areas which will provide a wonderful workplace for employees.”
He added: “The turnkey design and build solution took four months to complete and the result is a hugely impressive new working environment in one of the city’s best known buildings.”
The open plan design was chosen because the organisations were keen to increase efficiency through the better use of space, while also providing a suite of meeting rooms for privacy purposes.
Mike Jeacock, SRA Executive Director, said: “The move to Birmingham in October will bring significant benefits. It marks a major milestone in the transformation of the SRA. With excellent transport links the move will make us more accessible and help us to attract high-quality staff from a diverse population.”
Alan Vallance, Director of Organisation Services said: “Consolidating our current Midlands buildings and bringing all our Midlands-based staff together will reduce our costs. The modern office environment created and delivered by the Overbury team has encouraged us to adopt new ways of working and, ultimately, improve the quality of service and support we provide.”
Overbury’s specialist teams carry out fit out and refurbishment work in the office, retail, leisure, education and technology sectors. They pride themselves on completing their projects, which range in value from a few thousand pounds to a 100m, on time and snag free. The company is UK-wide, with offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bracknell and Leeds.
The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales. The headquarters of The Law Society will continue to be its prime office location in Chancery Lane, London. The SRA is the independent regulator of legal services for England and Wales. The Law Society Group Shared Services supports the operations of both the Law Society and the SRA.