PwC set for Dundee return

PwC is eyeing up locations for a new office in Dundee, more than a decade after it left the City of Discovery.

The global professional services company said its reversal has been prompted by an economic revival in Dundee that has demanded the “establishing a physical presence” there.

Tax partner Susannah Simpson, said: “We have watched with great interest the marvellous things taking place with the rejuvenation of Dundee.

“There is the development at the waterfront with the V&A, the exciting activities at the university in areas like life sciences and Dundee’s growing creative industry through the computer games companies.

“Dundee Port is in the market for oil rig decommissioning work which will also be a boost the city’s economy.

“We believe there are opportunities for us to be able to help these projects and initiatives to succeed with the expertise we have in particular specialisms such as bringing the weight of our Aberdeen Oil & Gas/Energy Centre of Excellence to Dundee.”

While the firm still has some major customers in based in the city, despite not retaining an office there, Ms Simpson said PwC is looking into creating a greater physical presence in Dundee and the search is on for suitable office space.

She said: “We have had a real focus on doing more with the business community and our existing Dundee clients over the last nine months.”

She added: “One option to cement that which has worked for others is to open a small office in the city initially with the option of extending it or taking on bigger space over time and in light of experience.”

However, Ms Simpson stressed the industry giant would not be seeking to compete with other big players on the Dundee accountancy scene such as Henderson Loggie and EQ.

She said: “We see merit in offering our expertise in different areas from those presently available in the city, such as helping high growth and tech companies using the greater breadth of professional services that a firm of our size possesses.”

She added: “In a similar way, we see and are excited by the potential of the economy of Dundee and the surrounding area for a firm like ours, and it is a place where we are very interested in opening an office.

“We would like to do what we can to help Dundee grab the massive opportunities that lie ahead of it, and are very much discussing establishing a physical presence there.”

The Dundee play follows PwC’s recent investment in a new office space in Aberdeen, despite the downturn in the oil and gas industry, illustrating a stoic confidence in the Granite City in the face of the ongoing stress caused by the languishing North Sea oil and gas sector.