2006 press releases

Northern Foods’ corporate centre in Leeds has won the 2006 British Council for Offices (BCO) National Award for Fit-out of the Workplace.

The BCO Awards, announced on 3rd October 2006, provide public recognition for top quality design and functionality. The prestigious awards are also seen as a benchmark for excellence in office space.

The award winning design was carried out by Carey Jones Interiors, the specialist interior design team within Carey Jones Architects.

As well as providing a practical place to house Northern Foods’ corporate functions, the offices provide over 60 ‘hot desking’ spots for visiting employees and guests, allowing them to work efficiently when they are away from their own offices. The layout is a combination of open plan and cellular offices, further fostering an environment of team working and collaboration.

As a leading UK food producer, a central feature of the offices is an on-site demonstration kitchen which allows Northern Foods to show case products to customers and other business visitors. The theme of food is reinforced throughout the building by the extensive use of graphics showing the quality raw materials used by Northern Foods.

Norman Pickavance, Northern Foods’ Corporate Services Director, said: “We are delighted to win this award as it highlights our continued commitment to fostering innovation across our company by establishing creative work environments for our people.”

Northern Foods moved into the three storey facility, which is located in the Thorpe Park business park, east of Leeds and adjacent to the M1 motorway, in April 2005, following the demolition of the company’s former headquarters in Hull to make way for a city centre regeneration scheme. The offices house some of the company’s central functions including group finance and tax, legal and company secretariat, procurement, central HR and communications.