ABERDEEN-BASED oil and gas consultant Xodus Group said yesterday it had invested more than £7.5million in new city-centre headquarters.
The firm said the move to offices in Huntly Street, which are more than twice the size of its former site, would help to accommodate future growth.
In the past 12 months, Xodus has seen a 32% increase in its workforce – bringing the total to more than 250. Nearly 120 of these are based in Aberdeen.
The new premises have space for up to 150 people.
The 14,500sq ft building, occupied previously by Ernst and Young, has been renamed Xodus House.
The company had been based in Carden Place since 2005 when Xodus started out with 14 employees. The £7.5million is being spent on a 15-year lease for the new premises plus the cost of refurbishing the building.
Chief executive Colin Manson said: “Although Xodus continues to expand around the globe, Aberdeen remains the headquarters for the company. Last year, we secured prime, high-specification office premises in central London and wanted to match the quality of the London space here in Aberdeen.
“It is important we maintain a solid base of expertise here in Aberdeen, where it all began, and where 40% of our work is performed.
“The new site offers first-class specification in a prime city-centre location, space to grow and the ability to maintain close relations with clients that we have worked with throughout the last four years.”
Xodus had leased two offices in Carden Place: numbers 58 and 60. The former is back on the market for lease, but the latter is being retained by the firm.
The Huntly Street premises were leased to Xodus by property consultant Ryden.
Ryden agency partner Arron Finnie said: “We are delighted to have attracted such an ambitious company to the building on a long-term commitment.
“The office market has been quieter over the last few months, but this is a good sign that things are picking up and confidence is returning to the industry.”