Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler's Ford, and Andy Watson, CEO Ageas UK, officially opened a new office for the local insurance company on Saturday 7th September, marking a new era for Ageas, whose head office has been based in Chandler's Ford for the past 21 years.
Supported by the company's employees and families, as well as Steve's five year old daughter Emily, Steve and Andy cut a ribbon tied across the entrance to the 90,000 square foot site on the Hampshire Corporate Park, off Templars Way. The pair were also joined by Sam Milne, employee of Ageas, who was also pictured at the original opening of the then B&Q head office back in the 1980's.
The building has undergone a dramatic refurbishment to provide a contemporary, high quality base for the insurer's UK head office and is almost double in size in terms of floor area than the previous office in Tollgate, Chandler's Ford.
The office supports the company's successful growth and brings over 1,200 employees from three offices across the Tollgate Business Park under one roof ultimately resulting in enhanced employee communication, as well as reducing the costs associated with running and maintaining three separate buildings.
Announcing the opening, Andy Watson said: "I'm very proud to officially open our new home, which marks a significant moment. This facility allows room for continued growth and demonstrates our commitment to investing in our people, our infrastructure and our services. It also underlines our commitment as a large local employer and contributor to the local economy, which we have taken very seriously."
Steve Brine, MP, added: "Ageas is clearly a growing and very successful company providing high quality employment in the area. It's therefore excellent news the company decided to invest in such a fantastic new UK headquarters in Chandler's Ford.
"It's not a small concern these days, with some 1,200 employees on this site alone, but they've retained a real family feel to the business and that's great to see in the modern corporate world. I wish them every success for the future in their new home."
The opening formed part of a family day at the new office, where around 700 employees and their families turned out to join the celebrations, entertained by a host of street performers, a steel band, a petting zoo, bouncy castle, face painting and carnival stalls, as well as the Eastleigh Fire Service.
Pictured; Steve (and Emily) at the Ageas opening
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