Osborne and Co to deliver Santander's new UK technology hub in Milton Keynes

The proposed state-of-the-art facility will act as the bank’s UK technology hub and is anticipated to open in 2022, subject to planning. It is expected to accommodate over 5,000 employees.

Osborne and Co is the new global delivery vehicle for major property projects in Europe, The Middle East, Asia and Africa, developed under the UK property business of Vanguard Real Estate, which comprises the partners of Osborne and Co and Jim Kelly, ex-principal of St Francis Group.

An occupier-focused, build to suit developer with a world-wide portfolio of £2.5bn, Osborne and Co has been chosen as the development partner for an investment of over £150m. Osborne’s approach to design and construction puts tenant needs at the heart of the development to deliver world-class modern workspace.

Under its new, unified brand, Osborne and Co is targeting a global development pipeline with a gross development value of £5bn over the next three years. It is Osborne’s third major deal in the UK, the company is currently developing major office and mixed-use developments in Glasgow and Belfast as part of a real estate pipeline of circa. £1bn across the country.

Conor Osborne, director, Osborne and Co, said: “We are naturally delighted to have been chosen as Santander’s development partner. Its new UK technology hub in Milton Keynes will set a benchmark for large scale developments in this country - and we are excited to build a world-class facility tailored exactly to their needs.

“As an occupier-focused, build to suit developer, there is increasing appetite for our product around the world as we move towards our wider global vision for growth and build upon our market-leading reputation.

"Our partnership with Santander follows the successful completion and then sale of HSBC’s new HQ in Dubai, which was delivered with our established platform in Dubai. Today’s news further cements our position as the real estate partner of choice to global corporations, cities and landowners.”

The firm is currently working with Santander to finalise designs for the new purpose-built campus which will create a best in class workspace offering space that offers flexibility, supports employees and encourages community engagement through innovative design.

It is expected that a planning application for the new campus will be submitted early in 2019 following consultation with the Local Authority and community groups.

Nathan Bostock, chief executive at Santander UK, said: “We are excited to be sharing our proposals for this major investment in Milton Keynes, reflecting our long-term commitment to the local area. We want a workplace which truly reflects our culture and our vision for the future, which is based on innovation and harnessing new technology to make banking simpler and more personal for our customers.

“Milton Keynes is already one of the UK’s leading technology hotspots, and with the new MK:U university on the horizon, we believe it is set to become an even greater magnet for technology talent. Our proposed new campus will give us a world-class home in Milton Keynes, which both our colleagues and the local community can take pride in.”

LOM Architecture & Design, an award-winning practice with a global portfolio, has been appointed on the development.

Richard Hutchinson, director at LOM, added: “This is an exciting and progressive project working to enhance the community workplace from an external and internal perspective."