BSI chairman Sir David John (pictured) cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open Kitemark Court at Knowlhill. It will house more than 350 staff relocated from BSI’s former premises at Linford Wood and from Hemel Hempstead.
The building, BSI’s Europe Middle East and Africa headquarters, will also accommodate the organisation’s global testing and healthcare businesses.
Guests including Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes and former BSI employee Cllr Catriona Morris, MK Dons FC chairman Pete Winkelman and Milton Keynes & North Bucks Chamber of Commerce chief executive Rita Spada joined staff at the ceremony. Representatives of Willen Hospice and Milton Keynes Rotary Club, both supported by BSI, also attended.
BSI has been based in Milton Keynes for 25 years. It began the search for a new headquarters after deciding in 2009 that increased revenue meant that it had to consolidate its offices on one site.
The newly refurbished and larger premises has been designed with further expansion in mind, said BSI chief executive Howard Kerr.
BSI is an independent organisation that works to improve standards in management practices and promotes innovation. Its Kitemark is recognised worldwide as an endorsement of a product’s quality, safety and value.
Mr Kerr said: “We have had a long association with Milton Keynes and I am pleased to take our investment in the area to a new level with the opening of our new office. Milton Keynes is not only a great place to do business but offers excellent accessibility to the rest of the UK, which is ideal as our business continues to expand in the UK and globally over the coming years.”
