EY opens doors of new state-of-the-art Edinburgh office

EY has revealed its newest, state-of-the-art UK office in the heart of Edinburgh’s financial district, signaling the firm’s latest investment in Scotland.

The new office is part of EY’s global “EY@Work” transformation, which provides modern office space supported by the latest technology, design and environmental standards.

EY said the new space has been “designed around how people work, not where they sit”, and provides a variety of flexible spaces designed for activity-based working.

Employees will be able to choose which space to use based on the task they are doing that day, from desk-based working to collaborative ‘zones’ to share ideas.

The space is located in Atria One , a Grade A office building with sustainability credentials rated ‘excellent’, according to the world-leading Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).

The building also possesses an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) at the top end of the scale with a B rating.

Mark Harvey, EY’s senior partner in Scotland, said: “Our new base in Edinburgh is a flagship office for EY in the UK. It represents significant investment in our Scottish practice, our people who work here and shows our continued commitment to Scotland’s business community.

“EY is market-leading in Scotland, as demonstrated by our 11 per cent annual growth in FY17, and it is fitting that we have a gold standard working environment for our people as they support the brightest and biggest companies in Scotland achieve their ambitions.

“EY, the current holder of the Investor in Scotland title from the Scottish Business Awards, has made strategic investments in new technologies and our people, as clients turn to us for more innovative products and services. This new office provides us with the space to grow, develop and adapt as we support clients to embrace appropriate emerging technologies to improve their operations and ensure they are internationally competitive.”

The Edinburgh office has been fitted with the very latest Audio Visual technology, including Microsoft Surface hubs for dynamic client presentations and collaborative working as well as the most up-to-date video conference facilities to enable instant world-wide connectivity.

Mr Harvey added: “Our state-of-the-art office in Edinburgh is a leading example of how EY expertly combines local footprint and knowledge with our vast international network and insight. Our clients, from start-ups and entrepreneurs to family firms and the largest listed companies, across all sectors and industries, are able to access EY’s operations across 150 countries worldwide from our Edinburgh base. This is of particular benefit for those who wish to explore new trading opportunities with countries such as USA, Australia, China and India.”

EY takes residence of 32,000sq ft on the third floor of the Atria One building on Morrison Street today and has agreed a 15 year lease for the prime location in the capital’s financial district. The space is 26 per cent bigger than its previous premises on George Street in Edinburgh where the firm occupied 25,500sq ft across three levels.

Sue Dawe, EY managing partner for Edinburgh and head of financial Services in Scotland, added: “Our move to the bigger, more technologically advanced space at Atria One reflects EY’s recent growth across all service lines and sectors in recent years.

“EY’s financial services practice has played a major role in the firm’s performance in Scotland where there is a vibrant industry with a proud history. Financial services is evolving with technological change poised to make a big impact. Our impressive base in Edinburgh offers attractive opportunities for the talented people who will lead and support the transformation of our industry as we know it today.”

As the largest professional services firm in Scotland by headcount, EY employs more than 1000 people in Scotland across four offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness with 35 Partners dedicated to the Scottish market.