| HQ move heralds new era for Chess Group |
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Commercial property specialist Chess Property Group plc and its development arm Knight Real Estate have moved into prestigious new headquarter offices in Aberdeen’s West End to accommodate ambitious growth plans over the next three years. Between them they are aiming to more than double their investment in property development projects across Scotland to around £80million by 2010. The decision to take occupancy of offices in Queens Road has been prompted in part by an expected increase in staff numbers across the Chess Group companies from around 130 at present to at least 150 during 2007. Chess Group companies are expected to see an increase in turnover of 30% to £23m in 2006. Chess and Knight Real Estate staff have moved from their previous office, Bishop House in Carden Place. It has now become solely occupied by another Chess business, architecture and space planning concern Space Solutions, which alone anticipates a growth in staff numbers of around 20% over the coming year. Chess Chairman James Barrack said: “All parts of the group are enjoying substantial growth at the moment and this move represents a vital step for us in terms of being able to meet our long-term ambitions. “We have become established as a significant player in the commercial property market, not just in the north-east but across Scotland, and we are now well placed to sustain and enhance our business development. Our proactive and innovative approach to the commercial property market has stood us in good stead to date and I am confident it will continue to do so.” All Chess head office personnel and the 15-strong Knight team have taken occupancy of the 62 Queens Road building - formerly occupied by Ramco Energy - which was acquired six months ago. Knight Real Estate’s growth strategy has already seen the establishment of a presence in the Central Belt, where it recently completed a flagship £7million development in Livingston, and the opening of an office in Poland to capitalise on development opportunities in eastern Europe. Another Chess business, Aberdeen-based interior and storage specialist Modul8, recently completed £6million in sales since it was set up three years ago. In that time staff numbers have risen from three to 30. |
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