Contributors
Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has completed a significant refurbishment of its office in Leeds, based on Whitehall Riverside.
WBD's 110-strong Leeds team moved back into a lighter and more vibrant working environment boasting collaborative workspaces, larger break out areas as well as improved facilities and technology-enabled rooms. The revamped office space promotes agile working and supports WBD's hybrid working model which enables people to choose where they want to work.
Works also included significant BREEAM Sustainability Assessment Methods as well as updates to lighting and air conditioning in line with WBD's carbon reduction targets. Existing furniture was recycled and re-used where possible, with all other materials and new furniture specified from accredited sustainable suppliers. The refurbishment works were carried out by commercial interior design, build and delivery specialist, ADT Workplace.
In October 2021, WBD was amongst the first law firms in the UK to announce its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2030. The firm has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to its environmental management and already procures renewable energy in five of its seven UK offices, with nearly 50% of the energy used across the UK coming from renewable sources.
Since its entry into the Yorkshire legal market in 2012, WBD's presence in Leeds has gone from strength to strength. The office is headed by corporate partner Simon Pilling. He commented:
"We’re pleased to welcome our people back into our new enhanced and eco-friendly office which fosters collaboration, promotes agile working and supports a healthy workplace culture.
Developing and stretching our environmental targets is core to our business and so we have been heavily involved in the design of our new workplace to create a space fit for the future with strong green credentials that match the ambitions of our Carbon Reduction Plan.
Our Leeds office has become central to the wider WBD success story. We have created a great team here supporting a fantastic range of local, national and international businesses. The refurbishment reaffirms our long term commitment to the region and to our Yorkshire-based clients."
Stacey Charlesworth, Design Director at ADT Workplace commented:
“We were delighted to partner with WBD to help design and deliver its new workplace. By working in close partnership with the team throughout the project, we were able to truly understand the ethos of the business and needs of its people. As such, the result is an inspiring and unique environment which is tailored to the organisation’s requirements and importantly, supports the health and wellbeing of its people as well as helps WBD deliver its market-leading carbon reduction plan.”
