PwC to create more than 200 jobs in Bradford
PwC has announced it is set to create hundreds of jobs in Bradford, as it sets up shop in the city. The professional services firm is taking over office space on Godwin Street, which will also complement its nearby operation in Leeds.
As PwC continues a nationwide reshuffle of its resources to ensure its UK firm is well-positioned to help clients in a period of uncertainty, it announced a new office in Bradford at the end of 2018. Earlier in the year, the firm said it would grow its presence in the UK’s second city in 2019, moving to a new office in Birmingham. However, the firm is expected to close six regional offices: two internal memos leaked to the British media revealed PwC’s intent to close its 40-strong Hull presence, as well as offices in Sheffield, Plymouth, Liverpool, Norwich, Swansea and Dungannon, in Northern Ireland.
Speaking at the time, Senior Partner Kevin Ellis said the Bradford location would open its doors in January 2019. At the same time, he highlighted why the firm has chosen the city, stating that it would enable the firm to meet the UK Government's priority areas for raising education standards and promoting social mobility for young people.
PwC has since set a date to install an initial selection of staff who will take to the new office by the end of March. The locale will then see an "official launch date" for operations, which has been set for 23rd May. According to the Big Four giant, it has already recruited 60 staff for the Bradford presence, but this is set to rise to 225 in the coming years.
Will Richardson, from PwC, remarked, "Bradford is one of the largest cities in the UK, and the youngest city, offering a large and talented workforce that has so much to offer not just Northern Powerhouse growth but the UK's economic growth, too."
Commenting on a “prestigious brand” arriving in Bradford, Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said, "PwC want to attract the talents of the future and it's brilliant that they acknowledge that Bradford, as the UK's youngest city, is the place to do that."
